SINGAPORE – WP Chief Pritam Singh Faces Charges: What You Need to Know
In a recent development, Workers’ Party (WP) chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh is facing two charges over allegedly lying to a parliamentary committee in 2021. These charges fall under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act, which prohibits lying in response to questions posed by Parliament or its committee.
Former WP MP Raeesah Khan had previously admitted on Nov 1, 2021, that she had misled Parliament on Aug 3 and Oct 4, 2021, by falsely claiming she had accompanied a sexual assault victim to a police station, where the victim was allegedly treated insensitively. Singh is accused of instructing Ms Khan to maintain her false statements on two separate occasions, as per the prosecution’s claims.
In response to the allegations, Singh’s lawyer Andre Jumabhoy filed an application on Oct 15 to impeach Ms Khan’s credibility as a witness. The basis of his argument was that Ms Khan had provided conflicting versions of events in court as opposed to her statement to the police.
As the trial unfolds over the course of 16 days until Nov 13, it is crucial to understand the implications of the impeachment process and what it means for the case at hand.
Impeachment Application Explained
- Definition: An impeachment application is a legal process used to challenge the credibility of a witness by highlighting discrepancies between their previous statements and their testimony in court.
- Procedure: The application for impeachment must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Evidence Act. This involves specifying the basis for impeachment and cross-examining the witness to bring attention to the inconsistencies in their statements.
- Judicial Process: Before a witness can be impeached, the judge must be convinced of the material inconsistencies in their testimony. The witness will then be given an opportunity to address these inconsistencies and clarify any discrepancies.
In summary, the ongoing legal proceedings involving Pritam Singh and Raeesah Khan underscore the importance of truthfulness and credibility in parliamentary proceedings. The outcome of this case will not only impact the individuals involved but also serve as a reminder of the significance of honesty and transparency in public discourse and accountability.