SINGAPORE — A man was charged on Tuesday (July 2) with causing the death of another man by pushing the victim, who hit his head on the steps leading to the Singapore River and fell into the water. 

Legha Pawan, 21, was charged in court with causing death by a rash act not amounting to culpable homicide.

The incident happened at about 10.15pm on Sunday along the Singapore River in front of the Paradox Singapore Merchant Court hotel and Clarke Quay Central mall.

A charge sheet stated that Pawan, an Indian national, had pushed the victim, 33-year-old Jasbir Singh, on the chest and caused him to fall backwards.

Singh hit the back of his head on the edge of the steps leading to the river and fell into the water, resulting in him drowning.

In a statement on Monday evening, the police said they received a call for assistance on Sunday at 10.15pm, after a man had fallen into the river.

Divers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team were deployed to perform an underwater search, they said.

The body of a 33-year-old man was subsequently retrieved from the water and pronounced dead at the scene.

The police identified Pawan through investigations and surveillance cameras.

He was subsequently arrested in relation to the incident. 

His case will next be heard on July 9.

If found guilty, Pawan could face a jail term of up to five years, a fine or both.

Police investigations are ongoing.