SINGAPORE — A 24-year-old Malaysian man has been sentenced to eight years in prison and six strokes of the cane for the rape of a Filipina domestic helper in May 2024. The sentencing, handed down by the Singapore High Court on April 13, 2026, concludes one part of a harrowing case where the victim was assaulted twice within the same hour by two different men.
The convict, Harvin Velanggany, pleaded guilty to the rape, which occurred in an open field along Short Street, near the Rochor MRT station.
The details of the case, presented by Deputy Public Prosecutors Ben Tan and Janessa Phua, outline a shocking sequence of events:
- The First Attack: On May 26, 2024, the 32-year-old victim was allegedly raped in the field by Anbazhagan Sivamurugan, a 34-year-old tourist from India.
- The Second Attack: Minutes after the first assault, the victim encountered Velanggany and told him she had just been forced to have sex and was worried about pregnancy. Instead of offering assistance, Velanggany ignored her pleas, overpowered her, and raped her while she resisted.
- Theft: Following the assault, Velanggany rummaged through the victim’s bag and stole RM369 (approx. $93). Although the money was later returned after the victim confronted him, the theft was taken into judicial consideration.
The victim eventually sought help from a staff member at Hotel Mi Rochor, who immediately contacted the police.
- Medical Care: The victim was treated at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She tested negative for sexually transmitted diseases and was provided with emergency contraception and preventative medication for HIV exposure. Her employer covered over S$1,000 in medical expenses.
- Sentencing Rationale: In addition to the eight-year prison term, the court ordered six strokes of the cane—a standard but severe physical punishment in the Singaporean justice system for crimes of this nature.
- Ongoing Case: While Velanggany has been sentenced, the case against the first alleged attacker, Anbazhagan Sivamurugan, is still pending before the courts.
The assault took place in a large field bounded by Lasalle College of the Arts and Sim Lim Square. While centrally located, the area is known to be quiet and dimly lit at night, particularly on Sundays. Local pedestrians have noted that despite the presence of streetlights, the structure of the Rochor MRT station creates shadows that make parts of the field isolated.
The victim’s identity remains protected under a court gag order. This case has drawn significant attention to the safety of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Singapore and the swift, stringent nature of the city-state’s judicial response to sexual violence.