While Mallika was at the hospital, Krishnan drank alcohol throughout the day. At night, they spoke with Mallika’s sister over the phone about Mallika’s relationship with another man.
An Indian-origin man, M Krishnan, was handed a 20-year prison sentence for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in a tragic case involving his girlfriend, Mallika Begum Rahamansa Abdul Rahman. The incident, which resulted in Mallika’s death on January 17, 2019, stemmed from Krishnan’s distress over her relationships with other men. Upset about her relationships with other men, M Krishnan punched and kicked Mallika who died on January 17, 2019.
Krishnan, aged 40, admitted his wrongdoing in the High Court, as reported by the ‘TODAY’ newspaper. Despite his plea for leniency, Justice Valerie Thean emphasized the severity of his actions. Notably, Krishnan’s previous claims of reform in 2018 were contradicted by his continued abusive behavior towards his wife and girlfriend.
The court recognized Krishnan’s intermittent explosive disorder and alcohol consumption as influencing factors in the fatal assault. Justice Thean highlighted Krishnan’s awareness of his behavioral issues, as evidenced by prior encounters with the law. Despite his disorder diagnosis post-offence, the judge condemned his recurrent domestic violence and imposed the maximum penalty of 20 years’ incarceration.
The court recognized Krishnan’s intermittent explosive disorder and alcohol consumption as influencing factors in the fatal assault. Justice Thean highlighted Krishnan’s awareness of his behavioral issues, as evidenced by prior encounters with the law. Despite his disorder diagnosis post-offence, the judge condemned his recurrent domestic violence and imposed the maximum penalty of 20 years’ incarceration.
In cases of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the law stipulates a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, caning, or a 20-year jail term with the possibility of a fine or caning.
The Abuse
In November 2015, a disturbing incident unfolded in Krishnan’s marital home when his wife discovered him with his girlfriend indulging in alcohol. The confrontation escalated as Krishnan resorted to physical violence, striking his wife and brandishing a whisky bottle, instilling fear and prompting her to seek legal protection.
Despite the turmoil, Krishnan’s relationship with Mallika persisted, marred by instances of abuse. During their time together, Krishnan hit Mallika at least once in 2017 “over a trivial matter”, court documents stated. The abuse intensified at the start of 2019 after Mallika admitted to having sexual relations with several men, including when Krishnan was in jail in 2018, according to TODAY’s report.
On January 15, 2019, Krishnan kicked and slapped Mallika in the face, punched her in the ribs and kicked her in the thigh. This was after she confessed to cheating while they were drinking alcohol in the apartment they shared.
As she pleaded with him not to leave, he grabbed her by the neck and pushed her, causing her to fall and hit her head against a wardrobe. She got up, stumbled to the kitchen and slumped in front of a cabinet. He told her to get up and when she did not, he pushed her forehead, causing her to hit her head against the cabin.
The next day, Mallika sought medical treatment at a hospital and was found with several bruises and abrasions.
While Mallika was at the hospital, Krishnan drank alcohol throughout the day. At night, they spoke with Mallika’s sister over the phone about Mallika’s relationship with another man.
Feeling angry and frustrated over her various affairs, Krishnan assaulted Mallika again. He slapped her face, grabbed her by her hair, and punched and kicked her.
After kicking her repeatedly while she was on the ground, he helped her to the bed and realised that she was not responsive or breathing.
He then called the Singapore Civil Defence Force at about 1:35 am and Mallika was pronounced dead later by the responders.
An autopsy found that she had died from a head injury, with several bruises on her scalp, back of her neck, face and around her body. Several of her ribs were fractured as well.
During sentencing on Monday, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Timotheus Koh told the court that Krishnan had asked a friend to let him sleep in his apartment after the assault. In the afternoon of January 17, 2019, Krishnan surrendered himself to the police.
After his arrest, Krishnan was diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder — a condition where there are frequent impulsive anger outbursts or aggression — which was found to have contributed to his offence.
However, the level of violence he inflicted on his girlfriend was “likely caused by the alcohol intoxication, adding to the intermittent explosive disorder”, court documents showed.
The prosecution sought a sentence of 15 to 18 years in jail, urging the court to “send a clear message that the courts do not tolerate violence of this nature”.
Koh said although Krishnan’s mental disorder was diagnosed after the offence, he had a history of “socially unacceptable behaviour” involving violence while intoxicated.
This included Krishnan’s mitigation plea in 2018 for being verbally abusive and spitting on police officers, where he acknowledged that alcohol had “severely clouded my decision at the time”.
He also said Krishnan was referred for counselling due to the domestic violence that occurred from 2015 to 2016, and that his actions showed his “propensity for abusing his domestic partners”.
