Police Officer Accused of Early‑Morning Assaults Over Drug Confessions
Last Friday, a Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officer named Vengedesh Raj Nainar Nagarajan faced the court for allegedly hammering a man on three separate occasions in the early hours of January 2, 2017. The courtroom drama began at the Woodlands Checkpoint CNB Block B office, where Vengedesh supposedly used a combination of kicks, punches, and slaps to coax a confession about a stash of drugs overheard in a raincoat bag.
Timeline of the Tumultuous Tussle
- 5:58 am — 6:14 am: First attack. Vengedesh reportedly kicked, punched, and slapped the victim, pushing him to admit that the bag contained a “bundle of drugs.”
- 8:35 am — 8:43 am: Second assault. The officer returned to the scene, again kicking and punching, this time to get the victim to confess that the bundle included heroin.
- 9:28 am — 9:30 am: Final encounter. A brief, violent burst ended with the victim admitting to knowing about a second drug bundle hidden in the same raincoat.
Despite a solid timeline, the court papers stopped short of detailing the fate of the implicated drugs or what occurred to the victim afterward. The record simply says, “no outcome disclosed.”
CNB Response and Legal Proceedings
Following the discovery of what the bureau calls “possible serious misconduct,” Vengedesh was suspended last Saturday and the case was handed over to the police. The CNB made clear that any officer misconduct is unacceptable, citing a firm stance against disallowed behavior.
With the charges of voluntary hurting that extort a confession, Vengedesh faces a potential jail term of up to seven years for each of the three counts. Additionally, he could be fined or even caned per charge—a grim reminder that Singapore’s legal system runs on strict enforcement.
He was granted bail of $15,000 and will be called to testify once again on November 1. All this drama unfolded after nearly a decade of allegations dating back to 2017.
What’s Next?
The case hangs in the balance as the court awaits the next dates. Whether Vengedesh will stand trial for each assault or see a plea deal—time will tell. Meanwhile, the CNB vows to keep its officers in check, especially when “confessions” are being ripped out of mouths with knuckles.
This drama, originally reported by The Straits Times, underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring justice while maintaining the integrity of law enforcement.
