PP v Soosainathan: Murder Conviction for Infant's Death via Rubbish Chute

In Public Prosecutor v Soosainathan s/o Dass Saminathan, the High Court of Singapore convicted Soosainathan of murder under section 302 of the Penal Code for the death of a six-month-old infant. The prosecution argued that Soosainathan sexually abused the infant and dropped her down the rubbish chute of his flat. The court found the accused guilty, relying on circumstantial evidence, including the presence of drugs in the baby's system that were prescribed to the accused, DNA evidence, and inconsistencies in the accused's testimony.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Accused convicted.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Soosainathan was convicted of murder after a six-month-old infant was sexually abused and dropped down a rubbish chute. The High Court found the accused guilty.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWonNg Cheng Thiam
Soosainathan s/o Dass SaminathanDefendantIndividualAccused convictedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Ng Cheng ThiamAttorney-General’s Chambers

4. Facts

  1. The accused was charged with murder under s 302 of the Penal Code.
  2. The victim was a six-month-old Indonesian female infant.
  3. The baby's body was found in a bin at the bottom of a rubbish chute connected to the accused's flat.
  4. The baby's wrists and ankles were bound together in a hogtie behind her back.
  5. The baby had multiple bruises on her forehead, face, and chest.
  6. The baby's hymen was completely torn, indicating sexual abuse.
  7. The baby's blood contained chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine, medicines prescribed to the accused.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Soosainathan s/o Dass Saminathan, CC 15/2003, [2003] SGHC 153

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Jalil came to Singapore illegally.
Widiyarti returned to Jakarta.
Widiyarti returned to Singapore to meet Jalil.
Widiyarti gave birth to the baby.
Widiyarti brought the baby to visit Jalil in Singapore.
The baby was seen by Dr. Azman Bin Osman for fever, cough and running nose.
The accused consulted Dr. Singam S B for cough and cold.
Widiyarti and the baby arrived in Singapore and met the accused.
The baby's body was found in a rubbish bin.
Jalil was arrested.
Police sent a patrol car in response to a telephone call.
The police arrived at Blk 629.
The police found the baby’s body.
The accused called Sgt Pek on his handphone.
The accused came back to the Flat.
SI R Venubalan arrived at the Flat.
SC Bashiruddeen found the baby in a rubbish bin.
The baby was pronounced dead at the scene.
ASP Ang Bee Chin recorded the accused’s s 122(6) statement.
Dr Gilbert Lau conducted an autopsy.
Accused gave a statement to the police.
Accused gave a statement to the police.
Accused gave a statement to the police.
Accused gave a statement to the police.
Accused gave a statement to the police.
Accused gave a statement to the police.
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Murder
    • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of murder under s 302 of the Penal Code.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Use of Accused's Statements
    • Outcome: The court considered the defense's argument that an inference should be drawn that the accused's statements were consistent with his oral evidence, but ultimately rejected it.
    • Category: Procedural
  3. Access to Accused's Statements
    • Outcome: The court discussed the defense's application for the accused's statements and the general principles regarding access to such statements.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Capital punishment under s 302 of the Penal Code

9. Cause of Actions

  • Murder

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law
  • Homicide

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Kulwant v PPN/AYes[1986] SLR 239SingaporeDealt with an application for pre-trial discovery of statements.
Tay Kok Poh Ronnie v PPN/AYes[1996] 1 SLR 185SingaporeStatements should be furnished to an accused person after he has given his evidence.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code (Cap 224)Singapore
Penal Code (Cap 224), s 302Singapore
Criminal Procedure Code, s 122(6)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Murder
  • Sexual abuse
  • Rubbish chute
  • Hogtie
  • Circumstantial evidence
  • DNA evidence
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Diphenhydramine

15.2 Keywords

  • Murder
  • Infant
  • Rubbish chute
  • Singapore
  • Criminal law
  • Conviction

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Murder
  • Evidence

17. Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Sentencing