Former Lawyer M Ravi Sentenced to 14 Weeks in Jail for String of Offences

M Ravi, a disbarred human rights lawyer of Indian-origin in Singapore, has been sentenced to 14 weeks' jail and fined SGD 5,500. Ravi, who has a history of legal issues, committed several offences between November 2021 and September 2023, including pushing a Hindu temple priest. The court acknowledged his bipolar disorder but noted his non-compliance with treatment.

On Friday, former Indian-origin Singaporean lawyer M Ravi was sentenced to 14 weeks' jail and fined SGD 5,500 (USD 4,120) for a series of offences that included pushing or injuring strangers and acquaintances, such as a Hindu temple priest.

The 55-year-old disbarred lawyer was also ordered to pay SGD 30 as compensation to one of his victims, as reported by Channel News Asia.

Ravi's offences took place between November 2021 and September 2023. He notably caused a disturbance at Sri Mariamman Temple on July 9, 2023, pushing to the front of the queue of devotees, upsetting offerings, and smearing holy ash on himself. He pushed a priest who tried to intervene, loudly questioning the presence of foreigners and the need to queue at the century-old temple, which is a popular tourist spot.

Though Ravi has faced legal troubles before, this marks the first time he has been sentenced to jail for criminal offences. Previously, in 2018, he was subject to a mandatory treatment order (MTO) for bipolar disorder, a condition he has openly discussed. Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan rejected the defence's argument to consider Ravi's bipolar condition significantly in mitigation, noting Ravi's long-standing awareness but non-compliance with treatment.

The prosecution sought a jail term of 18 to 24 weeks and a fine, while his defence team requested no more than seven weeks' jail and a fine. Ravi had earlier been fined for disorderly behaviour in 2004 and received the MTO in 2018 for various offences including causing hurt by a rash act and lurking house trespass.

(With inputs from agencies.)