Raj Kumar Bala : “Bar owner jailed for raping runaway teen”

The proprietor of a bar in Little India who provided shelter to a 17-year-old runaway and committed sexual assault against her three days later was sentenced to 13 years and four weeks’ imprisonment along with nine strokes of the cane on July 8.

Raj Kumar Bala, aged 42, was found guilty in March on two counts – one for raping the teenager and the other for molesting her at his leased condominium unit while she was under the influence of alcohol.

On July 8, he entered a guilty plea to a third charge – allowing the teen to stay and work for him despite knowing that she had absconded from the Singapore Girls’ Home.

During the sentencing, High Court Judge Mavis Chionh highlighted the significant level of sexual exploitation involved in the rape case.

The judge emphasized that Raj Kumar not only recognized the victim’s vulnerability due to her intoxicated condition but also actively pressured her to consume alcohol.

Justice Chionh added that he was cognizant of the fact that the teenager was on the run and relied on him for financial support and accommodation.

Following the pronouncement of the sentence, Raj Kumar’s legal representative, Mr Ramesh Tiwary, expressed his intention to appeal against the conviction.

Mr Tiwary also informed the court that his client sought to be released on bail to sell his assets and business in order to provide for his wife and children, assist his wife in applying for permanent residency, and enroll his son in school.

Rejecting the bail petition, Justice Chionh stated that there was no justification presented as to why Raj Kumar needed to be physically present for these matters.

Additionally, the bar owner is facing 22 more charges related to five other victims, predominantly involving sexual offenses. These charges are currently pending in court.

He stands accused of raping and molesting a victim identified as B1; raping and sexually assaulting a victim known as B5; and raping, molesting, and threatening another victim identified as B6.

Furthermore, he is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 16, identified as B7; and molesting and causing distress to another victim, identified as B8.

Raj Kumar stood trial in August 2023 for the offenses of molestation and rape against the victim in the present case, which occurred between the night of Feb 21 and the early hours of Feb 22 in 2020.

He refuted the allegations and claimed that the girl had consented to the sexual acts.

However, Justice Chionh found him guilty of the two charges on March 28, citing sufficient evidence presented by the prosecution to demonstrate that the girl did not give consent to the sexual encounters.

The victim had visited the Dunlop Street bar for a job interview on Feb 18, 2020, approximately two weeks after absconding from the home.

Raj Kumar employed her and allowed her to reside at the bar with two other runaways.

On the night of Feb 21, 2020, the bar was raided by the police following a report from an acquaintance of the runaways indicating that they were working there.

Raj Kumar transported the three runaways to his condominium and permitted them to stay there.

He consumed alcohol with the girls, leading to the victim becoming heavily intoxicated.

He proceeded to engage in sexual activity with the victim and also participated in sexual acts with another girl – the alleged victim identified as B1 – on the second floor of the unit.

The third girl remained on the first floor.

Subsequently, the victim left the condominium later that day and confided in a friend about the rape two to three weeks thereafter.

ADV: Research Position at Centre for Asian Legal Studies





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