25-year-old Nikhil Durgude pleaded guilty on 1 June to multiple charges, including one count of intentionally causing harm to obstruct a public servant from performing their duties. His additional charges included the possession of cannabis and the consumption of methamphetamine.
He was sentenced on 10 July to 9 years and 18 months imprisonment and fined $4,000.
He had assaulted a police officer and left his face bloodied during an incident at a condominium unit where another police officer drew his gun.
What happened
According to court documents, on November 5, 2020, three officers, including Senior Staff Sergeant (SSS) Chua Ming Cheng and Inspector Zheng Yiyang, visited a unit at City Suites in Balestier as part of a police operation.
They identified themselves as police officers to Nikhil and two other individuals, Prakash Mathivanan and Malani Naidu Prabhakar Naid, who were present in the living room.
While complying with the officers’ instructions to squat and place their hands on their heads, the trio engaged in conversation. When SSS Chua instructed them to stop talking, Prakash stood up and attacked the officer, causing him to fall. Prakash also struck SSS Chua in the face and upper body.
Inspector Zheng responded by drawing his service revolver and aiming it at the sofa, which was in the general direction of Prakash and Nikhil. After commanding Prakash to cease his attack on SSS Chua, Prakash turned towards Inspector Zheng and forcefully grabbed the officer’s hands, which were holding the revolver.
Before SSS Chua could rise and assist Inspector Zheng, Nikhil assaulted him by repeatedly punching and kicking him. SSS Chua fell once again, and Nikhil continued to attack him while he lay on the floor.
The prosecution stated, “The accused engaged in this assault to prevent SSS Chua from assisting Inspector Zheng and, thereby, aimed to hinder SSS Chua from fulfilling his duty as a public servant.”
Some time later, two additional officers entered the unit, leading to Nikhil ceasing his assault on SSS Chua.
Tested positive for drugs
All three individuals were subsequently arrested. A urine test conducted at the Central Police Division headquarters, where Nikhil was taken, revealed the presence of methamphetamine.
Previously, the police had reported that a man was shot in the abdomen during a confrontation with officers who were conducting a raid in the condominium.
SSS Chua sought medical attention at Singapore General Hospital and sustained a cut on the forehead, as well as abrasions on the right elbow and left forearm.
Nikhil could face imprisonment for up to seven years, corporal punishment in the form of caning, or a fine for intentionally causing harm to a public servant.
His sentencing is scheduled for June 16.