Man Jailed 3 Years for Pushing Stranger Into Singapore River During Clarke Quay Drunken Dispute
A night out in Clarke Quay turned fatal after a drunken altercation led to the death of a 33-year-old man who was pushed into the Singapore River. On 16 July 2025, 22-year-old Legha Pawan was sentenced to 35 months’ jail for pushing Jasbir Singh, who later drowned.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of 30 June 2024, involved both men being intoxicated. Legha, then a student at Birmingham Academy in Singapore, had been drinking with friends near the river when tensions escalated. A verbal dispute broke out, and Legha was seen pulling a woman’s hair before being restrained by his group.
Victim Was Intoxicated and Mourning a Loss
At around 10:10pm, Jasbir Singh — a construction worker and Indian national — was spotted nearby, visibly intoxicated and clinging to a lamppost. He had reportedly been drinking heavily in the months after his mother’s passing.
Moments later, Legha approached Singh. Eyewitnesses noted that although the initial exchange seemed calm and non-violent, Singh stood dangerously close to the river’s edge with his back facing the water.
Without warning, Legha shoved Singh in the chest with both hands. Singh tumbled backwards down the steps and into the river. Legha immediately fled the scene.
Failed Rescue, Arrest and Court Ruling
Witnesses quickly called for help. Despite rescue efforts, Singh’s body was recovered only at 2am by a four-man diving team from the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART). An autopsy confirmed death by drowning, along with several injuries sustained from the fall.
Legha attempted to evade capture by discarding his shirt and leaving his flat, but was arrested the next morning. While he claimed Singh had insulted his mother in Hindi, there was no supporting evidence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Jheong Siew Yin said Legha’s actions were both disproportionate and reckless, especially considering the victim’s inebriated state. The court found that Legha’s push led directly to Singh’s death, and sentenced him accordingly.