SAMINATHAN A/L SELVARAJU v ATTORNEY-GENERAL

[2025] SGCA 54 Court of Appeal 26 November 2025 • CA/OAC 3/2025 • 20 min read

11 cases cited

Catchwords

Criminal Procedure and Sentencing — Stay of execution — Application under s 60G of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1969 (2020 Rev Ed) for permission to make a post-appeal application in a capital case

Practice Areas

Criminal Procedure and Sentencing

Judges (1)

Tay Yong Kwang Delivered

Counsel (6)

Attorney-General's Chambers Firm Anandan Bala Counsel Respondent Joel Fun Counsel Respondent Marcus Foo Counsel Respondent Vishnu Menon Counsel Respondent Yohanes Ng Counsel Respondent

Parties (2)

Attorney-General Respondent Saminathan a/l Selvaraju Applicant

Case Significance

[2025] SGCA 54 is a Court of Appeal decision dated 26 November 2025 concerning Criminal Procedure and Sentencing, specifically addressing stay of execution. The judgment was delivered by Tay Yong Kwang. The case was brought by Saminathan a/l Selvaraju (applicant) against Attorney-General (respondent). Legal representation was provided by Attorney-General's Chambers. The judgment cites 11 cases and references 4 statutory provisions, including the Applications in Capital Cases Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Summary

Saminathan a/l Selvaraju, a prisoner awaiting capital punishment for trafficking 301.6g of diamorphine, applied for permission to file a PACC application seeking a stay of execution scheduled for the following day. His primary ground was that his execution should be stayed pending a separate constitutional challenge (OA 1213) to the validity of certain CPC and SCJA provisions governing post-appeal applications. The application was summarily dismissed, as the court found the pending proceedings had no bearing on the applicant's conviction and sentence.

What was decided in [2025] SGCA 54?

[2025] SGCA 54 (SAMINATHAN A/L SELVARAJU v ATTORNEY-GENERAL) is a Court of Appeal decision from 26 November 2025 addressing Criminal Procedure and Sentencing, specifically stay of execution. The judgment was delivered by Tay Yong Kwang.

Who were the parties in SAMINATHAN A/L SELVARAJU v ATTORNEY-GENERAL?

The applicant in [2025] SGCA 54 was Saminathan a/l Selvaraju, and the respondent was Attorney-General. Legal representation included Attorney-General's Chambers. The case was decided on 26 November 2025 in the Court of Appeal.

Which judge decided [2025] SGCA 54?

[2025] SGCA 54 was delivered by Tay Yong Kwang in the Court of Appeal on 26 November 2025. The case concerned Criminal Procedure and Sentencing.

What cases and statutes does [2025] SGCA 54 cite?

[2025] SGCA 54 cites 11 prior decisions. It references Applications in Capital Cases Act, Criminal Procedure Code, Misuse of Drugs Act.

Statutes Cited

Applications in Capital Cases Act

Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68)

Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185)

s 5(2)

Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322)

s 60G s 60G(1)

Cases Cited (11)

SG (2)

[2018] SGHC 161 [2020] SGCA 45

SLR (9)

[2005] 1 SLR(R) 103 [2010] 3 SLR 489 [2015] 2 SLR 1129 [2017] 1 SLR 173 [2022] 1 SLR 1347 [2025] 1 SLR 1287 [2025] 1 SLR 1345 [2025] 1 SLR 237 [2025] 1 SLR 605

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.

Read on eLitigation

Source: eLitigation ([2025] SGCA 54)