Indian-Origin man gets 14 weeks’ jail: Religious offence

A Singapore court on Wednesday sentenced a 36-year-old Indian-origin man to 14 weeks in prison for hurting religious feelings and using abusive language against a public servant, local media reported.

Vikneswaran V. Moganaval pleaded guilty to one charge under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and another for using abusive words against a police officer , Channel News Asia (CNA) said.

The incident arose from a long-running dispute with his neighbour over noise along the common corridor of their apartment. Vikneswaran had earlier complained to the Community Policing Unit, after which the situation briefly improved. However, tensions flared again during Diwali last year when the neighbour’s children played in the corridor, forcing him, according to his account, to cancel a festive gathering at his home.

Court documents stated that Vikneswaran knew his neighbour and her family were Malay-Muslim and that pork is forbidden in Islam. In anger, he opened a can of pork and spread it along the corridor floor, intending for his neighbours to see it when they walked past.

At around 10.15 pm, he called the police and said he “felt like throwing pork” at his neighbour’s home, warning that he would “confront the police” if officers did not arrive immediately. When police reached the scene, they photographed the pork on the corridor as evidence.

Vikneswaran was arrested on October 20, 2025, charged, and later remanded at the Institute of Mental Health. He also admitted to a separate offence in February 2025 in which he had earlier cursed at police officers.

Seeking a 14-week jail term , Deputy Public Prosecutor Chong Kee En said Vikneswaran had reacted with “immaturity and disgraceful actions” in a situation that required “grace and maturity” . Emphasising Singapore’s social fabric, the prosecutor noted that the country is among the world’s most religiously diverse and densely populated nations, making tolerance and sensitivity essential for communal living.

In mitigation, Vikneswaran apologised in court, telling the judge that he was “truly sorry and regretful” for his actions and the hurt caused.