Public Prosecutor v Gopinathan Nair Remadevi Bijukumar: Murder, Grave and Sudden Provocation

In Public Prosecutor v Gopinathan Nair Remadevi Bijukumar, the High Court of Singapore convicted Gopinathan Nair Remadevi Bijukumar of murder for the death of Roselyn Reyes Pascua. The incident occurred on 14 March 2010, where the accused stabbed the victim multiple times. The court, presided over by Justice Choo Han Teck, rejected the accused's defense of grave and sudden provocation, finding that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intended to kill the victim or inflict injuries sufficient to cause death. The accused was sentenced to death.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

The accused is found guilty as charged and convicted accordingly. He is sentenced to suffer death.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment reserved

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Gopinathan Nair Remadevi Bijukumar was convicted of murder for stabbing Roselyn Reyes Pascua to death. The court rejected his defense of grave and sudden provocation.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyGuilty as chargedWon
Andre Darius Jumabhoy of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Eunice Ng of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Gopinathan Nair Remadevi BijukumarDefendantIndividualConvictedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Andre Darius JumabhoyAttorney-General’s Chambers
Eunice NgAttorney-General’s Chambers
Raphael LouisTeo Keng Siang & Partners
Shashi NathanInca Law LLC
Tania ChinInca Law LLC

4. Facts

  1. The accused stabbed Roselyn Reyes Pascua to death on 14 March 2010.
  2. The incident occurred in #05-46 Peony Mansion.
  3. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds, including fatal wounds to the chest.
  4. The accused claimed he stabbed the victim in a sudden fight after she demanded more money.
  5. The court found the accused's version of events to be untrustworthy.
  6. The accused gave false accounts to the police, claiming a Malay man committed the murder.
  7. The court concluded the accused intended to kill the victim or inflict injuries sufficient to cause death.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Gopinathan Nair Remadevi Bijukumar, Criminal Case No 40 of 2011, [2012] SGHC 59

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused stabbed Roselyn Reyes Pascua to death.
Accused remitted $777.08 to India.
Accused registered for a driver's license test.
Accused paid his food caterer $130.
Accused repaired his cell phone for $25.
Accused arrested.
Judgment reserved.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Murder
    • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of murder.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Grave and Sudden Provocation
    • Outcome: The court rejected the accused's defense of grave and sudden provocation.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Conviction
  2. Death penalty

9. Cause of Actions

  • Murder

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed)Singapore
Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68, 1985 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Murder
  • Grave and sudden provocation
  • Intention to kill
  • Forensic evidence
  • False statements

15.2 Keywords

  • Murder
  • Criminal law
  • Singapore
  • High Court
  • Conviction
  • Death penalty
  • Provocation

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Murder95
Criminal Law80
Criminal Procedure60
Evidence50
Sentencing40

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Homicide
  • Evidence