Ince's Singapore managing partner Devandran Karunakaran has been sacked after being fined for molesting three women and shouting "vulgarities" in a bar.
The move comes after Karunakaran pleaded guilty to three charges of molestation and one charge under the Protection from Harassment Act. Three other molestation charges were taken into consideration.
“Following the Singapore Court’s decision, Devandran Karunakaran’s position at Ince has been terminated with immediate effect and he no longer works at the firm," the law firm told The New Paper. "We take the behaviour and ethical conduct of all of the group’s partners and staff extremely seriously.”
The 40-year-old finance expert was reportedly drunk when he was told to leave the bar by the manager.
A court was told that the lawyer asked the manager if he knew who he was and threatened to get him fired.
He was fined SGD 15,000 ($11,000).
Drinks with clients
The court heard that on 16 May 2018, Devandran had drinks with two clients before heading to the bar for more drinks.
At about 11pm, he stood behind one of the patrons at the bar who was dining alone and stroked her back and waist with his hands.
According to media reports, the 48-year-old woman identified as Ms H shouted at him: "Don't touch me!"
Prosecutor Tan Yen Seow said Karunakaran then walked away from her and headed towards the upper level of the bar.
He placed his left arm on the exposed shoulder of a DJ and put his right arm on the exposed waist of her friend, and said: "Hey, what's up?"
The DJ, identified as Ms P, 28, felt disgusted and tried to shrug his arm off, but he stroked her body from her shoulder to her waist.
He also stroked the other woman's body from her waist to her buttock.
Police later arrived Kurunakaran was arrested.
