A 40-year-old man was formally charged in court on Thursday (26 March) following a widely circulated incident involving two young children seated on the exterior of a luxury vehicle. Prem Anan Sugunakumar faces one count of committing a rash act that endangered the safety of children under the age of 14. The proceedings follow an investigation into a video that gained significant traction on social media platforms late last year, sparking widespread public concern.
The incident is alleged to have occurred at approximately 10.40 am on 20 October 2025, along Dairy Farm Lane heading towards Dairy Farm Heights. According to the charge sheet, Prem allowed two children, aged seven and eight, to sit atop the rear boot of a Porsche while the vehicle was in motion. This dangerous positioning placed the minors at substantial risk of injury or death should the vehicle have encountered sudden movements or traffic hazards.
During the court hearing, the legal representative for the accused indicated that his client intended to take a specific course of action, requesting the court to record an early plea of guilt. The defence lawyer sought additional time to receive further instructions from the accused before the next stage of the judicial process. Consequently, the court has scheduled the case to return for further mention on 22 April to determine the final legal outcome.
The controversy originally surfaced through a TikTok video uploaded by an account linked to a car consignment firm, which has since been deactivated or the content removed. The footage depicted the two young boys perched on the boot of the car before it was driven off. In the recording, a man was heard making remarks about life being short and suggesting there was no point in saving for the next generation, as they could earn their own living.
Law enforcement authorities issued a stern reminder on Wednesday, emphasising that all children must be properly secured using appropriate safety restraints when travelling in vehicles. Placing passengers in hazardous positions, such as on the exterior of a car, is a serious violation of safety protocols. Under the law, a conviction for a rash act endangering others carries a potential jail term of up to six months and a fine of S$2,500, with penalties potentially doubling if the victims are under the age of 14.
