Singapore court upholds death sentence for two Indians in drug case

Arrested March 5, 2016

There is no reduction in the sentence of the third Indian facing life imprisonment in the same case

Singapore: The Supreme Court of Singapore has upheld the death sentence of two Indian nationals convicted in March 2016 of conspiracy to smuggle 1.34 kg of drugs. Kamal Nathan Muniyandi, 27, a Malaysian of Indian descent, and Chandru Subramaniam, a 52-year-old Singaporean of Indian descent, denied having any knowledge of drugs involved in the crime.

The appellate court today also rejected the appeal of Praveenash Chandran (26), a Malaysian national of Indian origin, the third person involved in the drugs case. He was sentenced to life in prison and 15 lashes for possession of drugs. Earlier, the apex court had said that Praveenash was only involved in drug trafficking and had helped in curbing such activities.

On March 5, 2016, Kamal Nathan and Praveenash reached Singapore through the Woodland Checkpoint. When they reached Kranji MRT railway station, drugs were kept near Praveenash. The two then went to a nearby coffee shop where Kamal Nath called a man named Suresh.

They then went to Kranji Road where they met Chandu. The trio were arrested shortly afterwards by Central Narcotics Bureau officials. A large quantity of drugs was recovered from Praveenash at that time. The court said in its judgment that there was no evidence to reduce the sentences of the three.