Indian Nurse in Singapore Sentenced to Jail and Caning for Misconduct

Singapore: An Indian nurse employed at a premium hospital in Singapore has been sentenced to 14 months in prison and two strokes of the cane after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a male visitor at the hospital. The nurse, identified as Ellip Shiva Nagu, has also been suspended from her nursing duties.

According to media reports, the 43-year-old nurse allegedly behaved inappropriately with a male visitor who had come to see his ailing grandfather at the hospital in June. Prosecutors said that during the visit, the victim briefly went to a resting area, where the nurse approached and sexually assaulted him.

During questioning, the nurse claimed that her actions were meant to “disinfect” the man — suggesting that she intended to protect him from possible infection. However, investigators rejected this explanation, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated immediately, leading to her suspension.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Eugene Foo told the court that the incident occurred on June 18, while the complaint was formally lodged on June 21. The victim, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons, was reportedly shocked by the incident and declined to make further public comments.

Following her arrest two days later, the court found Ellip Shiva Nagu guilty of sexual misconduct involving a patient or visitor within a medical facility, a serious offense under Singaporean law.

In addition to imprisonment and corporal punishment, the court noted that the case highlights the gravity with which Singapore treats such breaches of professional and ethical conduct in healthcare institutions.