A 22-year-old student, Legha Pawan, has been sentenced to 35 months in jail after pushing a stranger into the Singapore River near Clarke Quay, resulting in the victim’s death by drowning.
Victim’s Body Found in Singapore River the Next Morning
The incident occurred on the night of June 30, 2024. The victim, 33-year-old Jasbir Singh, was found dead in the river early the following morning. Legha was sentenced on July 16, 2025, after pleading guilty to voluntarily causing hurt that resulted in death.
At the time, Legha was studying at the Birmingham Academy in Singapore.
Alcohol-Fuelled Conflict Escalates
Legha had been drinking with friends along the steps beside the Singapore River. Before 10 PM, an argument erupted within the group. Legha, who had consumed about two cans of Anchor Strong beer and was intoxicated, lashed out by pulling a woman’s hair. Friends intervened to separate him and calm the situation.
Around 10:10 PM, Jasbir Singh, an Indian national and construction worker, walked past the group. He appeared heavily intoxicated and was seen hugging a lamppost. The court heard that Singh had taken to drinking following the recent death of his mother.
At around 10:13 PM, Legha approached Singh alone. A couple nearby, who had already witnessed Legha’s earlier aggression, noticed the two men interacting. Initially, their conversation appeared calm with no physical contact.
Singh stood near the river’s edge with his back facing the water. Without warning, Legha pushed him in the chest with both hands. Singh lost his balance, tumbled down the steps, and fell into the river.
Legha fled immediately after the push.
Rescue Attempt and Autopsy Findings
The couple shouted for help and quickly alerted police, reporting: “A drunk man pushed another drunk man into the river, and he is running away.” At about 10:35 PM, a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) four-man diving team from the Disaster Assistance Rescue Team (DART) arrived on the scene.
Singh’s body was recovered around 2 AM and he was pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death. Singh had also sustained lacerations and abrasions likely caused by his fall down the steps.
Attempt to Evade Arrest Fails
After fleeing, Legha discarded his collared shirt and planned to return home via train. Upon reaching his flat, he asked his housemate for his backpack and left again, apparently to avoid police detection.
However, he returned to the flat at 7:55 AM on July 1 and was arrested shortly after.
Legha later alleged that Singh had insulted his mother in Hindi, but the court found no evidence to support this claim. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jheong Siew Yin described Legha’s actions as “disproportionate and unwarranted,” especially given that Singh was clearly intoxicated and unable to defend himself.
