Four Indian students have been convicted of planning to steal apparel worth over SGD 1,700 (around Rs 1,05,600) from a retail store in Singapore. They have been handed sentences ranging from 40 to 65 days behind bars for the offence, reported news agency PTI. The students — Shihora Ridham Mukeshbhai (20), Hun Smit Ashokbhai (21), Kuvadiya Milan Ghansyambhai (26), and Chauhan Ruchi Sanjaykumar (25) — resided together in a shared Singapore apartment. They executed their plan by removing price tags equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) from the targeted apparel.
Their strategy involved evading the store's security alarms triggered by RFID tags. After detaching the price tags, the quartet purchased tote bags at the self-checkout area, discreetly stuffing the stolen items into these bags while faking payment for their "purchases". All four Indians held student passes in Singapore, the PTI report stated.
Ridham, the youngest among them, pleaded guilty to one count of theft in a dwelling and an additional count of attempting a similar crime, receiving the harshest penalty. The remaining three admitted guilt to either one count of theft in a dwelling or attempted theft, with consideration given to other comparable charges during sentencing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew disclosed that one shoplifting incident occurred on October 12 at the Uniqlo outlet in Orchard Central. Court documents identified three other Indian nationals—Bhavik (24), Vishal (23), and Darshan (22)—as co-conspirators. Bhavik and Vishal initiated the plan, recruiting the others into the operation. The group, comprising eight individuals, executed their theft at 6 pm, successfully leaving the store at 7:30 pm with 64 pieces of apparel valued at SGD 1,788.
Four days later, Ruchi, Ridham, Bhavik, and three additional accomplices revisited the same Uniqlo outlet. Despite employing the same modus operandi, their activities attracted the attention of a vigilant store security officer. Asked for a receipt as proof of payment, Ridham provided a false excuse, claiming their friend held the receipt elsewhere. When questioned, Shivam, another member, hastily departed, leaving the stolen items in the tote bags. The group nearly managed to steal 72 items worth SGD 2,271.
Subsequent to a police report filed by a sales assistant and an examination of CCTV footage, the authorities apprehended the culprits. By then, Bhavik, Vishal, Darshan, and another member, Mili, had already left Singapore. Deputy Public Prosecutor Chew emphasized the deliberate nature of the offences, highlighting the substantial value of the stolen goods. Notably, the accused failed to make any restitution.
During video-link hearings while in remand, all four implicated individuals pointed fingers at Bhavik, labelling him as the mastermind. Milan and Hun Smit asserted that Bhavik coerced them, threatening increased room rental or eviction if they failed to comply with his instructions. Despite this, they acknowledged their awareness of the criminal nature of their actions.
PTI further reported that two women in the group, Brahmbhatt Komal Chetankumar (27) and Christian Arpita Arvindbhai (27), initially scheduled to plead guilty, denied any intention to steal, blaming Bhavik. However, their plea was rejected by District Judge Teoh Ai Lin, and their cases were set for a pre-trial conference on November 30.