Blog

A 35-year-old Singapore resident of Indian-origin, Daljeet Kaur Dharam Chand, was sentenced to 19 months in jail for causing a fire in her rental flat that injured her boyfriend. The couple had lived together in the rental flat and are believed to have split up after the incident.

Daljeet’s boyfriend, Premraj Ragoo, suffered burns on 15% of his body, including his back and left buttock. The burns resulted in permanent scarring. Ragoo could not afford surgery for his burns so he returned to Malaysia to recover, reported The Straits Times.

In March, after a trial, Daljeet Kaur Dharam Chand was convicted of one count of rashly contributing to the risk of causing a fire in her Sembawang rental flat.

According to court documents, the couple’s relationship was troubled. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan portrayed Kaur as a possessive and manipulative partner.

“She offered the victim complete financial provision… Over time, she normalised unhealthy control and oversight. When disputes arose, she threatened to kill herself,” stated Tan.

Prosecutors alleged that on September 6, 2021, when Ragoo decided to end the relationship, Kaur became angry. She poured thinner on the floor and lit matches, starting the fire.

Ragoo, in an intoxicated state, attempted to de-escalate the situation by taking the thinner from Kaur.

However, the situation escalated further, with Ragoo pouring the flammable liquid on himself, reported the Straits Times.

“At or around the time he passed out, the accused rashly lit two matchsticks… They dropped and caught fire with the thinner. The fire spread towards the victim and engulfed him in flames,” Tan elaborated.

Kaur’s lawyer argued that Ragoo started the fire, but the judge dismissed this claim.

Evidence included Kaur’s own statements to authorities admitting to starting the fire.

Ragoo could not afford surgery for his burns and returned to Malaysia to recover on his own.

The incident occurred in September 2021 at their shared rental flat in Sembawang.