From Joggers to Jail: The 22‑Year‑Old Who Stabbed Him into a Life Sentence
Meet Surajsrikan – a one‑hour‑late walk turned fatal bad‑luck
Surajsrikan Diwakar Mani Tripathi, formerly known as the “open‑handed jogger,” turned a simple evening run into an infamous crime of the year. He was 20 at the time, carrying a folding knife and a stack of wet wipes – good for keeping sweat dry, but not for any other purpose.
Why did it happen?
- On the anniversary of his dad’s abduction and the day he joined the military, Surajsrikan decided to jog. He thought the night would be peaceful.
- While sprinting toward the bus stop at Punggol Field Road, he stumbled, tripped, and plunged into a frustrated state. In a flash of madness, he decided the only way to “reset” was to attack an unsuspecting stranger.
The Fatal Encounter
At about 11:08 pm on May 10, 2020, he faced Mr. Tay Rui Hao, a 38‑year‑old Asian who had been strolling along the same stretch. Surajsrikan slipped his knife into Mr. Tay’s back, then cloves a full‑blown slash of a blade.
Murdering for the billy‑goat of a jog—the prosecution called it an utterly senseless killing.
The Immediate Aftermath
- Mr. Tay mustered the strength to call the police, but by the time the officers arrived, it was too late.
- He was rushed to Sengkang General Hospital, where he suffered from multiple stab wounds and ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The Court’s Verdict
In the courtroom, Surajsrikan “confessed” to slashing Mr. Tay. The judge sentenced him to life imprisonment and 15 cane strokes, a punishment that matched the gravity of the crime.
For the families
The relatives of Mr. Tay discovered his final moments “too late to catch his dying words.” It’s a heartbreaking reminder that some lives are cut short without the chance of a proper goodbye.
And that’s the story, from a jog that never went as planned to a human tragedy that still resonates. If you thought your Saturday was rough, just remember—one can always make a night‑time gait feel like a grim nightmare.
