7 charged over attack on murtabak restaurant worker
An apparent business dispute between two well-known restaurants might be the reason behind a vicious attack on a man.
The assault was so brutal, he now suffers from permanent disfigurement after being slashed with a knife.
Yesterday, Ramge Visvamnathan, 19, Joshua Navindran Surainthiran, 22, and Joel Giritharan Surainthiran, 24, were each charged with one count of working together to voluntarily cause grievous hurt to Mr Liakath Ali, 52.
They allegedly attacked him with a knife at Arab Street at around 10pm on Aug 26.
Mr Liakath is believed to work for Victory Restaurant, a murtabak eatery at North Bridge Road.
Three other men, Koleth Navas, 29, Zackeer Abbass Khan, 45, and Anwer Ambiya Kadir Maideen, 46, were each charged with one count of engaging in a conspiracy to cause grievous hurt to their alleged victim.
A seventh man, Koleth Abdul Nasir, 41, was charged with one count of criminal intimidation by threatening to hurt Mr Liakath.
Three of the men are believed to work at Singapore Zam Zam Restaurant, which is next to Victory Restaurant.
Zackeer is believed to be the Zam Zam manager, Koleth Navas is believed to be its chef, and Koleth Abdul is believed to be a waiter there.
THREAT
According to court papers, at around 8.40pm on Aug 22, Koleth Abdul Nasir allegedly told Mr Liakath outside Zam Zam: "Last time we should do (sic) you but you escaped. But this time round, we will do (sic). You watch out."
Koleth Navas, Zackeer and Anwer allegedly engaged in the conspiracy between Aug 22 and Aug 26.All seven men will be back in court next Wednesday.
The New Paper visited North Bridge Road yesterday and noticed that it was business as usual at both restaurants.
They were packed with diners tucking in to their plates of murtabak or rice.
For voluntarily causing grievous hurt to their victim and conspiring to do so, the men can each be jailed up to 15 years and fined or caned.
For criminal intimidation, Koleth Abdul Nasir can be jailed up to seven years.
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