A 38-year-old Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer, Senthil Kumaran, has been fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to assaulting a 10-year-old boy in retaliation for an alleged push on an MRT train. The incident occurred on September 24, 2023, and led to Senthil pushing the boy to the floor at Jurong East MRT station, causing him to fall and sustain a bruise and wrist sprain.
Senthil, who was suspended from his duties after the incident, was fined on March 28. The district court heard that after the alleged altercation on the train, Senthil followed the boy off the train and forcefully shoved him to the ground, where the child hit his arm against the railings. Senthil then walked away without offering help to the boy.
The next day, the boy’s father took him to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the minor injuries. The prosecution described Senthil’s actions as disproportionate, stating that there was no evidence to support the boy’s alleged push, and even if it occurred, retaliating against a 10-year-old was unnecessary.
District Judge Eddy Tham pointed out that although the injuries were minor, Senthil’s response was unjustified. As an ICA officer, he was expected to handle situations with greater responsibility and restraint.