The defence counsel for a 30-year-old woman, who was charged with involvement in the disposal of a four-year-old's body at Paya Ubi Industrial Park, has objected to her further remand.

The suspect in question, Nouvelle Chua Roushi, stands accused, along with 24-year-old Foo Li Ping, and 33-year-old Wong Shi Xiang, of burning the body of Megan Khung Yu Wai in a metal barrel in February this year.

In addition, both Foo and Wong also face the charge of killing Khung in a unit at Suites @ Guillemard condo.

Foo is the biological mother of Megan, who is believed to be the only child.

Defence: Chua's only charge is disposal of the corpse

Speaking in court on August 6, Chua's lawyer, Thangavelu from Trident Law Corporation, highlighted that Chua's only charge pertained to the disposal of the corpse and not murder.

As such, her case should be separated from those of Foo and Wong, as it can be tried in the district court instead of the high court.

In response, the prosecution stated that such a submission was "completely premature" and that "new material" had also surfaced in the course of the investigation.

Thangavelu then reiterated his point on Chua's sole charge, and added that Chua could continue to cooperate with the investigation while on bail.

On this point, District Judge Terence Tay noted that this was only the third remand that the prosecution was seeking and that he was "minded to allow" the prosecution's request for further remand, given the severity of the charges against Foo and Wong.

Chua has since been remanded for one more week with permission to be brought out for investigation.

Foo and Wong to also remain in remand

The same status was also extended to both Foo and Wong.

Wong is represented by Vinit Chhabra from Vinit Chhabra while Foo is represented by lawyers Josephus Tan, Marshall Lim and Cory Wong, on a pro-bono basis.

Previously on July 30, two sets of lawyers for Foo had appeared in court, with the other representative being Peter Keith Fernando from Leo Fernando firm, The Straits Times reported.

Tan stated that he had been approached by Foo's mother while Fernando stated that he had been approached by Foo's cousin.

On August 6, Tan confirmed his team's representation of Foo in court and added that Fernando had been discharged.

Tan added that he had spoken with Foo at Police Cantonment Complex on the night of August 5.

Neither Tan nor Chhabbra voiced objections to the prosecution's application to remand Foo and Wong for one more week.

Top image collage from Google Streetview and photo by Matthias Ang