ANKIT SHARMA v PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

[2026] SGHC 115 High Court (General Division) 25 May 2026 • HC/MA 9145/2025/02 • 40 min read
7 cases cited

Catchwords

Practice Areas

Judges (1)

Counsel (6)

Parties (2)

Case Significance

In Ankit Sharma v Public Prosecutor [2026] SGHC 115, the High Court General Division allowed an appeal against a conviction for outrage of modesty with wrongful restraint under s 354A of the Penal Code. The appellant Ankit Sharma had been convicted after a five-day trial before a District Judge, who sentenced him to four years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane for an alleged incident on 1 March 2023 in a nursing room at Changi City Point. Christopher Tan J, sitting on Magistrate's Appeal No 9145 of 2025, set aside the conviction and acquitted Sharma on 25 May 2026, with the case turning on witness credibility and the weight accorded to statements in evidence. Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP appeared for the appellant and the Attorney-General's Chambers for the respondent.

Summary

Ankit Sharma appealed against his conviction under s 354A of the Penal Code 1871 for outraging the modesty of a complainant while wrongfully restraining her, for which the District Judge had sentenced him to four years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane. The key issue on appeal was whether the complainant's testimony was sufficiently credible and consistent to meet the standard of being unusually convincing. The High Court allowed the appeal, finding that the Prosecution had not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and acquitted the appellant of the charge.

What was the outcome of Ankit Sharma's appeal against his outrage-of-modesty conviction?

Christopher Tan J of the High Court General Division allowed Ankit Sharma's appeal in [2026] SGHC 115, decided 25 May 2026, setting aside his District Court conviction under s 354A of the Penal Code and acquitting him of the charge after finding issues with witness credibility and the weight of statements.

Statutes Cited

Cases Cited (7)

SG (1)
[2025] SGDC 317
SLR (6)
[2016] 5 SLR 636 [2018] 3 SLR 1048 [2020] 1 SLR 486 [2020] 1 SLR 984 [2025] 2 SLR 176 [2025] 3 SLR 578

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.

Read on eLitigation

Source: eLitigation ([2026] SGHC 115)