M. Ravi admits to assaulting lawyer Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss

Lawyer and human rights activist Ravi Madasamy, also known as M. Ravi, admitted in court on Nov 27 that he assaulted fellow lawyer and opposition politician Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss.

Ravi had shoved her in the seventh-storey corridor of The Adelphi at around 11am on Aug 8, causing the 54-year-old to fall to the ground and suffer a bruised right hip.

According to The Straits Times, Ravi pleaded guilty to a separate charge of causing hurt to another lawyer, Mr Nakoorsha Abdul Kadir, 42, by performing a rash act at the same spot minutes later.

He also admitted to breaking into one of the offices of the Eugene Thuraisingam law firm at People's Park Centre on Jun 27.

The law firm had employed Ravi late last year and he worked at its People's Park Centre office, however, he was subsequently terminated and informed through a hand-delivered letter that he had to vacate the premises by Jun 16.

Court papers did not reveal why he was terminated.

He broke into the office with his friend Lai Yew Thiam, 56, twice on Jun 17 and Jun 22, and police were notified on both occasions.

When the firm changed the locks and secured its shutters with screws, the duo went to the office on Jun 27 armed with a screwdriver to remove the screws before entering the premises.

Ravi went to the firm's office at The Adelphi with three other men working for the organisation he founded, the Lawyers Alliance for Human Rights Asia.

They were not allowed to enter and as they were walking away, confronted Chong-Aruldoss who works at the firm.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sarah Ong said:

"Ravi stopped Jeannette abruptly and began questioning her aggressively... When Jeannette tried to walk away, Ravi forcefully pushed her, charged towards her and pushed her again... While Jeannette was on the ground, Ravi kicked and flung Jeannette's belongings, which were scattered on the ground, and also threw a shoe in Jeannette's direction while mocking her for being 'drama'."

When her colleague, Nakoorsha, stepped in, Ravi flung Chong-Aruldoss' handbag at his face.

Ravi is now out on $20,000 bail and will be back in court on Jan 5.

Read the full story at The Straits Times.