Indian Nurse Jailed, Caned for Molesting Man at Singapore Hospital

By Manisha Sahu, America News World
October 25, 2025

An Indian national employed as a staff nurse in a leading private hospital in Singapore has been sentenced to one year and two months’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to a molestation charge, Singaporean media report.

The accused, Elipe Siva Nagu, aged 34, was working at Raffles Hospital on North Bridge Road when the offence occurred in June of this year.  It emerged that on the evening of June 18, at approximately 7:30 pm, a male visitor was using a patient-ward toilet when Siva Nagu allegedly looked inside and, under the pretext of “disinfecting” the visitor, applied soap to his hand and then molested him.

The victim had been at Raffles Hospital to visit his grandfather, who was admitted in the ward.  Court documents noted that the visitor, startled and shocked, froze at the moment of the assault, and later returned to his grandfather’s bedside. The incident was formally reported on June 21, and the nurse was arrested two days later.

Legal Proceedings and Verdict

In the hearing before the court on October 24, Siva Nagu pleaded guilty to one count of molestation. The prosecutor, Eugene Phua, told the court that the victim continues to suffer flashbacks of the ordeal.  Singapore’s law allows offenders convicted of molestation to be jailed for up to three years, fined, caned, or receive any combination thereof.

The sentencing – 14 months in prison and two cane strokes – reflects the gravity with which the Singaporean judiciary treats offences of “outrage of modesty,” particularly in professional settings. The cane sentence is a reflection of the nation’s strict stance on indecent assault.

Institutional and Employment Response

Following the incident, Raffles Hospital confirmed the staff nurse was immediately suspended from his duties pending investigation.  The hospital’s management emphasised that such allegations are taken with “utmost seriousness” and that the safety and well-being of all patients and visitors remain a top priority.

As the nurse was in a role entrusted with patient care and safety, the breach of trust factor significantly weighed in the public and institutional response. In professional healthcare settings, the expectation is of elevated integrity and respect for patients and visitors alike; when that trust is violated, institutions move swiftly to suspend staff pending legal resolution.

Impact on the Victim and Wider Implications

The court heard that the victim is still experiencing psychological after-effects, including flashbacks of the incident. The fact that the molestation occurred in a hospital—a space meant to provide care and safety—makes the case particularly troubling and sensitive in nature.

Beyond the immediate case, the incident raises broader issues about workplace screening, staff-visitor interactions, and oversight in high-security and high-trust spaces such as hospitals. For visitors, the expectation is that hospital grounds present a safe environment; instances of abuse undermine that assumption and can erode public trust.

Singapore’s penal system includes caning for certain sexual assault and molestation offences, an element that underscores the severity with which such acts are treated in the city-state. The combination of imprisonment and corporal punishment is intended to serve both as a deterrent and as a reflection of the harm done.

International and Employment Consequences

As an Indian national working abroad, Siva Nagu’s case has implications for migrant workers in sensitive roles. Employers and regulatory agencies are increasingly vigilant about the suitability of staff with access to vulnerable populations. Employers may need to reassess background checks, supervision practices, and visitor-staff protocols.

Moreover, the case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences that overseas workers may face in host countries. It also highlights that criminal misconduct abroad can lead not only to job termination but also to significant legal consequences, including corporal punishment, which may not be present in one’s home country.

Closing Notes

The sentencing of Elipe Siva Nagu illustrates that even in highly regulated and professional settings, serious misconduct can occur—and that authorities are prepared to act decisively. For hospitals, this case reinforces the need for strict policies governing staff-visitor interactions, clear reporting mechanisms, and swift institutional response when trust is breached.

For the visitor who suffered the assault, the psychological impact may be lasting, underscoring the need for victim support mechanisms even in medical facilities. For the broader public, the story is a cautionary tale about awareness and the expectations of safety in spaces designed for care.

As Singapore continues to attract a diverse international workforce for its healthcare sector, the incident also resonates with the responsibility of employers to maintain robust oversight and ensure all staff act in a manner consistent with their professional obligations. In this case, the swift arrest and sentencing send a clear message: misconduct will not be tolerated, and accountability will follow.