Man Allegedly Left Room While on SHN to Visit Woman That He Met on a Flight

Based on cases of stay-home notice (SHN) breaches over the past year, there are three main reasons why people would flout their quarantine and risk jail time:

1. To dine out
2. To drink bubble tea
3. Hanky panky

For some people, living without these three things for more than a day, let alone two weeks, is a fate worse than death.

So, even after being reminded numerous times of the consequences, they’re still willing to breach their SHN just to meet someone.

Even if they just met a week earlier on a plane.

Man Allegedly Left Room While on SHN to Visit Woman That He Met on a Flight

Was it love at first flight? You be the judge.

On 14 March this year, Suresh Naidu Bojanki and Bharati Tulshiram Choudhari – two Singapore PRs – returned on the same flight to Singapore.

They met for the first time on the flight and became acquainted.

As with many travelers these days, both of them were issued a 14-day stay-home notice upon their arrival.

Suresh, 37, and Bharati, 47, were then taken to the same dedicated facility, Oasia Hotel in Novena, and placed in different rooms to serve their SHN.

At the airport, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) reminded them that they were not allowed to leave their individual rooms in the dedicated facility nor were they permitted to have visitors during their SHN.

Simple, right? It seems not.

On 20 Mar, Suresh allegedly left his room and entered Bharati’s room at around 12.30am and stayed there for more than half an hour.

It’s unclear what they did, but it’s likely the only thing that would tempt you into risking jail time: an intense game of Monopoly.

This was bad enough, but Suresh didn’t wear his face mask either.

Both Charged For Breaches, Could Face Jail Stint

ICA said both Suresh and Bharati will be charged for engaging in a conspiracy for Suresh to breach a term of his stay-home notice, and consequently exposing others to COVID-19.

Suresh is also facing an additional charge for failing to wear a mask.

Both of them are out on S$5,000 bail each.

If convicted, both offenders could face a fine of up to S$10,000, up to six months in jail, or both.

In addition, foreigners may face further administrative actions by ICA and the Manpower Ministry.

This could mean having the validity of their permits and passes to remain or work in Singapore shortened or revoked altogether.

“To safeguard our community’s health and safety, everyone needs to play their part and comply with the stay-home notice requirements if they are subject to one,” ICA said.

Featured Image: Google Maps