In a peculiar incident that left many baffled, a 36-year-old Singaporean man named Roy Ravi Jaganathan made headlines when he went around a coffee shop in Hougang proclaiming to patrons that he was God while wearing the Singapore flag like a cape. This bizarre occurrence took place on September 5, 2023, and resulted in Jaganathan being sentenced to two weeks’ jail on September 21, 2023.
The Peculiar Morning – Dressing for the Unusual
Court documents revealed that on the morning of September 5, Roy Ravi Jaganathan left his flat dressed in a green T-shirt and Bermuda shorts, which he wore over a pair of track pants. However, what truly captured everyone’s attention was his unique ensemble. He had draped a Singapore flag over his shoulders and tied it below his neck, essentially wearing it like a cape. To complete his eccentric look, he also placed a blue towel over his head and wore a cap.
The Coffee Shop Conundrum
Subsequently, Jaganathan arrived at Block 682 Hougang Ave 8 at approximately 8:30 AM and made his way to a local coffee shop. It was here that the bizarre incident unfolded. Without any warning, he began shouting at the patrons, loudly proclaiming that he was God. His behavior was erratic, to say the least.
Disturbing the Peace
As if claiming to be God wasn’t perplexing enough, Jaganathan escalated the situation further. He went from table to table, shouting and making incoherent statements. At times, he even intentionally lifted his T-shirt to expose his torso to the startled patrons. Understandably, this erratic behavior caused many people to call the police.
The Police Intervention
Multiple Calls to Authorities
The Singapore Police Force received numerous calls reporting Jaganathan’s disruptive actions. Concerned citizens reached out for help as his behavior was causing distress among the coffee shop’s patrons.
A Persistent Offender
What makes this incident even more perplexing is that it was not Jaganathan’s first time causing a public nuisance at coffee shops in the Hougang area. On September 4, 2023, he had already been sentenced to one week and 15 days in jail for public nuisance and using abusive language against a public servant in July 2023.
According to the charge sheets, he had aggressively shouted and gestured with an umbrella at people on July 18 at a coffee shop in Block 681 Hougang Ave 8. On July 29, he had shouted at people at a coffee shop in Block 682 Hougang Ave 4. On the same day, he had used vulgar language directed at a police officer and even physically resisted arrest.
The Curious Chronology
Court records reveal a puzzling timeline. Jaganathan had been remanded for a month and five days before his sentencing on September 4 for his July offenses. This would mean that he was released from jail on the same day and committed his current spate of offenses the very next day. Moreover, he is also believed to be released from jail on the same day of sentencing, September 21, for the September offenses, as court records show that he had been in remand for 16 days, which is longer than his imprisonment sentence of two weeks.
In conclusion, the case of Roy Ravi Jaganathan remains an enigma, leaving many to wonder about the reasons behind his peculiar behavior. While the legal system has taken its course, questions about his mental state and the motivations behind his actions linger.