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©The
Straits Times, Singapore (Used by permission)
by Selina Lum
A LAWYER sent to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for
three weeks of psychiatric observation failed in a High Court bid yesterday to
have himself released.
Shackled and handcuffed, M. Ravi spent more than an hour arguing his case from
the dock, during which he revealed that an IMH psychiatrist diagnosed him as
bipolar.
Ravi, 39, who often referred to himself in the third person, claimed his
continued detention at IMH was unlawful.
'The petitioner M. Ravi is a passionate lawyer with a highly stressful
practice,' he said. 'His detention is unprecedented.'
His arguments were rejected by Justice Tay Yong Kwang, who saw no reason to
overturn the earlier orders of two district judges.
Ravi faces two criminal charges of disturbing a religious prayer session and
harassment stemming from an incident at a Chinatown mosque last month.
He was sent to the IMH for observation on Aug 18. He was admitted under a
provision that allows an accused person suspected to be of unsound mind to be
detained for observation at a mental hospital for up to a month.
On Sept 1, he filed a High Court application to be released from the IMH and
also complained of being ill-treated at the hospital.
Yesterday, Ravi said he would not be pursuing his 'unsatisfactory treatment' at
IMH as things have since improved.
He argued that the law allows someone to be detained only for observation and
diagnosis, not treatment.
He contended that since he had been diagnosed, his detention should come to an
end.
He insisted he was of sound mind even though he may have made irrelevant
arguments in the past.
'I am lucid and clear in my law, in my mind and in my conscience,' he said.
IMH lawyer Kuah Boon Theng said DrKenneth Koh needs more time to complete his
evaluation of Ravi's condition.
Ms Kuah noted that Ravi, who was first diagnosed in 2006 as bipolar, had
episodes during which he would 'lose his ability to control his actions'.
She also noted that he has repeatedly refused to take his medicine in IMH.
The case so far
Aug 11: M. Ravi is charged in court. Prosecutors want
him to be sent for psychiatric assessment but the request is denied by District
Judge Carol Ling.
Aug 15: Prosecutors try again, submitting a list of 14 incidents involving
Ravi. The case is adjourned after Ravi makes strange comments in court such as
claiming that the prosecutor is the one of unsound mind.
Aug 18: Judge Ling revokes Ravi's $8,000 bail and orders him to be sent to
the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).
Aug 28: IMH psychiatrist Kenneth Koh writes to the court, saying he needs
more time to evaluate Ravi, who is 'still unwell'.
Sept 1: District Judge Victor Yeo extends Ravi's IMH stay for another two
weeks. On the same day, Ravi files a High Court application against seven
parties: the Attorney-General, Police Commissioner, prisons director, Home
Affairs Minister, Singapore President, Asean Secretariat and IMH director.
Sept 5: Justice Tay Yong Kwang dismisses Ravi's application to be
released from IMH.
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