Rishi David Ramesh Nandwani, a 27-year-old man, was sentenced to four weeks in jail and fined S$4,000 (US$2,900) on Monday (Dec 30) for hurling racial slurs and physically assaulting a cashier at a Project Acai cafe in Singapore.
Incident Details at Project Acai Cafe
The incident took place in Holland Village on October 31 in the afternoon, during a busy period with children present. Rishi mistakenly stood in front of the counter, thinking he was in line to order. When informed by the cashier that he was at the wrong end of the queue, he became upset and launched into a two-minute tirade against her, including racial slurs and vulgarities. Aggressive Behavior and Assault
Despite being asked to move to the back of the line, Rishi continued to hold up the queue and verbally abuse the cashier. He then escalated the situation by throwing a tip box at her, hitting her lower back. Subsequently, he threw two serving trays that narrowly missed her. Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Rishi appeared in court via video link from his place of remand. Videos of the incident were played in court, showing the disruptive behavior and assault. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim requested a four-week jail term and the maximum fine of S$5,000 to deter racist behavior. District Judge Janet Wang emphasized the need to protect service staff from abuse and noted Rishi’s remorse.
Despite being asked to move to the back of the line, Rishi continued to hold up the queue and verbally abuse the cashier. He then escalated the situation by throwing a tip box at her, hitting her lower back. Subsequently, he threw two serving trays that narrowly missed her.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Rishi appeared in court via video link from his place of remand. Videos of the incident were played in court, showing the disruptive behavior and assault. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim requested a four-week jail term and the maximum fine of S$5,000 to deter racist behavior. District Judge Janet Wang emphasized the need to protect service staff from abuse and noted Rishi’s remorse.
Rishi, who had a prior conviction for a separate offense, expressed regret for his actions. He acknowledged his impulsivity and disruptive behavior, recognizing the need for a change in attitude. Despite his remorse, the court deemed his actions unacceptable and sentenced him accordingly to prevent the normalization of racist behavior.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of treating service staff with respect and the consequences of engaging in racially charged behavior. It highlights the need for individuals to reflect on their actions and strive to be more considerate and empathetic towards others in all circumstances.