Indian-Origin Woman Jailed Two Weeks For Slapping Taxi Driver Over Rs 1,600 Fare In Singapore

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 05:16 IST

Devarajan insisted she had no cash or means of cashless payment and called someone for assistance.

An Indian-origin Singaporean woman was sentenced to two weeks in jail for voluntarily causing hurt by slapping a taxi driver at a police station, following a dispute over a fare.

Shalini Devarajan, 36, reportedly refused to pay her taxi fare of SGD 24 (USD 19), claiming she had no cash and rejecting the driver’s suggested cashless payment options. After challenging the driver to take her to a police station, the 73-year-old driver complied- where she allegedly slapped him, Channel News Asia reported.

Court documents revealed that the incident began on November 11, 2025, when the driver picked up Devarajan at about 3 pm. She boarded the cab alone and asked to be taken to her apartment in Yishun. The driver noticed that she smelled of alcohol and drove her while she slept. Upon reaching her block, he woke her and informed her that the fare was SGD 24.

Devarajan insisted she had no cash or means of cashless payment and called someone for assistance. When asked to leave her phone behind or let the driver accompany her upstairs, she refused. Around 4.20 pm, she slapped the driver on the left cheek, causing pain.

The victim sought medical treatment and was given one day of medical leave. The taxi fare remained unpaid and Devarajan was arrested the same day.

The prosecution requested compensation of approximately SGD 172 for medical expenses but the defendant claimed she had no funds. In mitigation, Devarajan stated she did not realize she had an SGD 50 note in her pocket when asked to pay.

News world Indian-Origin Woman Jailed Two Weeks For Slapping Taxi Driver Over Rs 1,600 Fare In Singapore

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