Indian-origin ex-cop jailed in Singapore: 10 years for fatal abuse of Myanmar maid; victim starved, weighed just 24kg

A Singapore court on Thursday sentenced Kevin Chelvam, a 46-year-old Indian-origin former police officer, to 10 years in jail for his role in the fatal abuse of a 24-year-old house help who died from starvation and torture.

Chelvam was found guilty of four charges, including voluntarily causing hurt, abetting grievous hurt by starvation, providing false information to police, and tampering with evidence. The case relates to the death of Piang Ngaih Don, a domestic worker from Myanmar, who died on July 26, 2016, from brain injuries caused by repeated blunt trauma. At the time of her death, she was severely malnourished, weighing just 24 kilograms.


According to Channel News Asia, Chelvam, who was Don’s legal employer, allowed her to be abused over several months by his ex-wife, Gaiyathiri Murugayan, and his mother-in-law, Prema S Narayanasamy. Murugayan and Narayanasamy are already serving 30-year and 17-year sentences, respectively, for their roles in the abuse.

District Judge Teoh Ai Lin noted Chelvam’s failure to intervene or protect Don, despite witnessing her deteriorating condition. He also removed the home’s CCTV recorder to conceal evidence and lied to investigators.

Prosecutor Sean Teh said video footage showed Chelvam present during several episodes of abuse and accused him of supporting the starvation that contributed to Don’s death.

Chelvam was acquitted on a fifth charge of using criminal force.