Post by : Shakul

A Singapore court has sentenced suspended traffic police officer Shivasuria Maniam Kesaval to 16 months in prison after he illegally accessed government databases to help a friend identify a police informant. The case raised serious concerns over the misuse of official government systems and the protection of confidential information.

The officer was found guilty of multiple offenses involving unauthorized access to Ministry of Home Affairs databases and the unlawful disclosure of protected information.

Friend Wanted to Identify Police Informant

According to court proceedings, Shivasuria accessed confidential government systems after his friend, Brayden Ong Ying Shan, was arrested for driving without a valid licence. Ong believed that his former girlfriend had reported him to the police and asked the officer to verify her identity.

The searches confirmed that the woman had filed the report, allowing Ong to confront her later.

Victim Was Allegedly Threatened

Following the unauthorized disclosure, Ong allegedly threatened the woman, reportedly saying that he would kill whoever had informed the police about his offence.

Authorities treated the disclosure of the informant's identity as a serious breach because it placed the woman's safety at risk and undermined confidence in law enforcement systems.

Court Rejected Defendants' Claims

During the trial, both men denied wrongdoing and represented themselves in court. The suspended officer claimed that his superior had authorized the searches as part of an investigation, while Ong argued that he never intended to intimidate his former girlfriend.

However, the judge rejected both explanations, stating that their testimonies lacked credibility and contained multiple inconsistencies.

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Additional Charges and Arrest Warrant

The court found Shivasuria guilty under Singapore's Computer Misuse Act for four counts of unauthorized database access and one count under the Official Secrets Act.

Meanwhile, Ong was convicted of criminal intimidation and several related offences. Authorities later issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear following sentencing, with further court proceedings scheduled later this month.

Authorities Stress Importance of Data Security

The case highlights Singapore's strict approach toward protecting official information and maintaining public confidence in law enforcement. Prosecutors argued that misuse of confidential government databases is a serious offence because it can compromise investigations, expose informants to danger, and weaken trust in public institutions.

Officials have reiterated that public servants are expected to handle sensitive information responsibly, and any abuse of official access will continue to face strict legal consequences.

#Singapore News #police news #Courtroom #Youth Crime