Logeswaran Mohandas, 42, used his brother’s name and the name of an acquaintance at a hospital in Singapore for treatment for back pain and other ailments. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison.
Indian-Singaporean citizen sentenced to 6 weeks in prison (representative image)
An Indian-Singaporean national was found guilty of false identity and sentenced to six weeks in prison. According to reports, 42-year-old Logeshwaran Mohandas identified himself as his brother and a long-lost acquaintance in order to secure treatment for his back pain at a hospital in Singapore. He received treatment while being billed by registering as his brother and his acquaintances.
The Straits Times reported that when Mr Logeshwaran was sentenced recently, there were 19 other charges against him. However, Rogeswaran has already paid the installments to his brother, but the acquaintance has not asked for compensation.
A deputy public prosecutor involved in the case told the media that Rogeswaran and an acquaintance met for the first time at a temple. However, the two have not met since 2011. Since then, Rogeswaran has started contacting the acquaintance from time to time to borrow money.
In 2015, Rogeswaran contacted the acquaintance about a potential opportunity as a transportation contractor and asked for a copy of his identification and business card. Logeshwaran is believed to have told his acquaintance that he could register as a transporter with the hotel where he was working at the time.
The acquaintance sent photos of his ID and business card, but Rogeswaran never contacted him about any work.
Instead, between April 29, 2016 and March 6, 2018, Rogeswaran visited the hospital eight times. During these visits, he registered at the hospital using the name and ID number of an acquaintance of his. Rogeswaran visited a doctor for back pain and was prescribed medicine.
He ended up incurring a bill of S$421.74, or just over Rs26,000. The person who called the police was an acquaintance who had received multiple medical treatments and informed them of unpaid bills.
From May 2018 to September 2019, Logeswaran also impersonated his brother to secure treatment at the National University Hospital and charged a total of 945.35 Singapore dollars (approximately 60,000 rupees). After receiving the bill from the hospital, Rogeswaran’s brother filed a complaint with the police.
While ruling on the matter, the judge said that while a fine may seem sufficient given the small amount of each misconduct, a prison sentence is not justified when the totality of Mr. Rogeswaran’s conduct is taken into account. said.
The judge said the various hospitals and general hospitals targeted by Logeswaran had accepted him in good faith, adding that tightening procedures in the wake of the crime would cause inconvenience to many patients.