SINGAPORE - A forklift driver accused of murdering a beautician whose decapitated body was found floating in the Whampoa River was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on Friday.
However the prosecution tendered two fresh charges against Indian national Gursharan Singh for causing evidence of a murder offence to disappear and failing to report the offence to a police officer.
The 26-year-old had been accused of murdering 33-year-old Indian national Madam Jasvinder Kaur at a Balestier Road house in December 2013.
He was charged on Friday with disposing of Madam Kaur's body at or around the Whampoa River, near Block 110 McNair Road.
He allegedly committed the offence with the woman's husband, logistics executive Harvinder Singh, 35, between Dec 11 and 12 that year. Harvinder Singh, who is also from India, is now on Interpol's wanted list.
Gursharan is also accused of intentionally withholding information about the offence from the police.
Madam Kaur's body was found in a rubbish bag floating in the waterway between McNair Road and St George's Road. Her head and hands were missing, and her arms had apparently been mutilated.
She came to Singapore from India in September that year on a dependant's pass. Her husband arrived in February and was working here as a senior logistics coordinator.
Bail of $50,000 was offered to Gursharan, who will appear in court again on March 20.
