Singapore: Indian-origin woman 'kicked in the chest' for not wearing mask testifies in court

An Indian-origin woman in Singapore, who was allegedly kicked in the chest and racially abused, made a statement in court on 18 January 2023.

The complainant, 57-year-old Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai, said that she has not been able to overcome the trauma from the incident. She was allegedly attacked by Wong Xing Fong on 7 May 2021 for not wearing a mask amid Covid restrictions.

She said that the rules at the time allowed people who were exercising to not wear masks. Hindocha said she typically brisk-walks to work as she does not have the time to do any other form of exercise before work and had pulled down her face mask to the chin to breathe more freely.

As Hindocha was approaching a bus stop beside the Northvale Condominium located along Choa Chu Kang Drive, she heard someone shouting at her from behind, she told the court.

She turned around to see "a couple", Wong and an unnamed woman, gesturing at her and telling her to mask up. She gestured back to indicate that she was exercising and perspiring.

At this point, Wong walked towards her and hurled the racial slur at her, Hindocha claimed. "I don't like to fight, sir, so I said, 'God bless you'," she said, adding that then Wong ran towards her and gave her a "flying kick" in the chest.

The impact, said Hindocha, caused her to fall on her back, leaving her left forearm and palm bleeding. She alleged that Wong and his female companion then "jogged" away as though nothing had happened.

The accused has denied the allegations levelled by Hindocha.

(With agency inputs)

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