A traffic police officer allegedly eavesdropped on a police report against his friend and allegedly obtained information from the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA ) computer systems without authorization.
The officer, Shivasuria Maniam Kesaval, stands accused of giving the details to his companion,  , Brayden Ong Ying Shan, who then allegedly used it to threaten his ex-girlfriend with death.
On top of that, both defendants were tried on suspicion of breaking the Official Secrets Act ( OSA ) on Monday ( November 18 ).
Shivasuria, 27, is contesting one demand under the OSA and four charges under the Computer Misuse Act.
He is accused of conducting illegal searches of MHA system systems between July 14 and July 26, 2022 to access information in connection with an Ong report for allegedly driving without a valid license.
According to allegations, Shivasuria reportedly obtained information about the “incident design time” for the Ong police report and then provided it to Ong between July 14 and July 15, 2022.
Ong, 23, is contesting two charges , – one under the OSA of receiving the information from Shivasuria, and one of criminal harassment against a female identified in court as his ex-girlfriend , between Jul 15 and Jul 17, 2022.
Officials are only permitted to access the MHA computer systems after receiving the necessary authorization to carry out official responsibilities in support of their company’s functions or operations, according to the prosecution.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin told the judge that , Ong was caught driving without a true licensing on Jul 12, 2022, after a statement made by his ex-girlfriend.
That day, Ong informed Shivasuria that he had been caught, and asked Shivasuria to find out who had informed the police, the attorney said.
According to allegations, Shivasuria reportedly conducted the unauthorised computer searches and discovered Ong’s police report and briefing notes. These indicated an “incident construction period” of 9.19pm.
According to Mr. Bin, Shivasuria gave Ong this schedule.
Just three people, including Ong, were aware that she was driving at the time, so the trial claimed Ong told his ex-girlfriend that he used this schedule to track down the person who had reported him.
The woman feared for her and her child’s health, according to the prosecution, citing a threat Ong reportedly made that day that he had “murder anyone who lodged the statement against him” as well.
Mr. Bin requested that some of the reading involving the MHA computer systems become held in secret at the start of the trial because it was in the public’s best interests or security of Singapore.
In light of the Singapore Police Force’s screen capabilities, city determine Lim Tse Haw placed a gag order over the data.
Shivasuria and Ong could receive a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a fine of up to S$ 2,000 each.
For a first-time offender, the punishment is either a prison term of up to two years or a fine of up to S$ 5, 000 or both.
If convicted of unlawful harassment, Ong faces up to 10 years in jail, a good or both.
The test continues.