Singapore Man, 49, Jailed for Secret Second Marriage Discovered at Hospital
A 49-year-old Singapore resident has been sentenced to nearly four months’ jail after secretly marrying a second Singaporean woman while still legally wed to his first wife. The case came to light when his second wife gave birth at a hospital where his first wife worked, raising suspicions.
Vaithialingam Muthukumar, originally from India, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiring to commit bigamy and two additional charges relating to false declarations on immigration forms. Under Singapore law, bigamy carries a maximum jail term of seven years and a discretionary fine of up to S$10,000, reported CNA.
The authorities confirmed that the man’s second marriage, conducted in 2022 under Muslim rites in Nagore, India, remained legally valid and undisclosed at the time of his guilty plea. He had promised the second wife, Salmah Bee Abdul Razak, that he would divorce his first spouse, but continued living with his first wife throughout.
Discovery at Hospital Sparks Investigation
The situation was uncovered when Salmah gave birth on September 14, 2023, at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Vaithialingam was spotted leaving the delivery suite by his first wife, who immediately confronted him. This chance encounter revealed the existence of the secret second marriage and child.
Following this, Vaithialingam submitted an application for permanent residency, falsely declaring he had no other marriages. His first wife, unaware of his duplicity, sponsored the application, which was later rejected by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in October 2024.
In July 2024, Salmah reported the bigamy to the Ministry of Manpower, prompting the ICA to refer the case to the police. Investigations revealed that Vaithialingam had deceived both women over an extended period, spanning more than a year before the hospital incident brought his actions to light.
Sentencing and Legal Consequences
The prosecution recommended a jail term of two to three months, citing the prolonged period of offending and deliberate deception. On August 21, Vaithialingam was sentenced to three months and three weeks’ imprisonment.
This case underscores the seriousness of bigamy offences in Singapore, highlighting both legal and ethical consequences. Authorities emphasise that falsifying information on official forms and maintaining undisclosed marriages can lead to prosecution, jail time, and social repercussions.
Singapore residents are reminded that bigamy remains a criminal offence, and honesty in personal and official declarations is paramount to avoid similar legal entanglements.