Former PA staff who oversaw youth network sexually assaulted boy, 16, at public toilet & Hotel 81

Under the pretext of helping to secure an opportunity in modeling, a former People's Association (PA) staff member convinced an aspiring actor, then a 16-year-old, to meet him in private in 2007.

The man then proceeded to force the boy to perform a sexual act on him.

This happened twice, with the second instance culminating in the man sexually penetrating the boy.

The truth only came to light roughly 13 years later when the victim filed a police report, in 2020.

After a trial, Ranjeet Prasad has now been convicted on three counts of carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

He was sentenced to 10 years and six months in jail.

A gag order has been put in place to protect the identity of the victim.

Oversaw youth events

According to a publicly available judgment dated Mar. 3, Prasad was a manager of community projects for the South East Community Development Council (CDC).

He also oversaw the “Y2Y Network”, which organised events targeted at youths below 21.

He first met the victim in 2007 after the latter took part in a singing competition known as “Teenage Icon” organised by Teenage Magazine.

Prasad had conducted a meeting at an office located at the SingPost building in Paya Lebar about the Y2Y Network.

The victim was excited about being a part of the Y2Y Network as it involved modelling – something that he was interested to pursue in line with his hopes of becoming a singer or actor.

In another meeting, Prasad told the victim that he had the "potential to do well" and that he was interested in working with him.

He then took down the victim's contact number.

First incident

Prasad subsequently texted the victim and reiterated that he had the "potential to do well".

He then queried the victim on “how far he was willing to go” and asked whether he had engaged in a specific sexual act before.

The victim, confused, responded in the negative. He later testified that he thought this was a "playful" question.

Prasad later invited the victim to meet him in his office.

The victim agreed and was even excited to do so as he believed he might be securing a photoshoot or could be signed up or recruited as a talent.

At this meeting, Prasad asked if the boy wanted to get himself into a photoshoot and wanted to know how “adventurous” he would get.

It was here that the victim then made the connection of this question with the earlier text message about the sexual act and thought that Prasad wanted to engage in that act with him.

After asking the victim to "give it thought", he asked the boy to follow him out of the office.

He then led him to a public toilet, where he "pushed" the boy into a cubicle.

Inside the cubicle, Prasad proceeded to unbutton his jeans, and guided the boy to perform the sexual act.

The victim closed his eyes and did as he was told, thinking it was what he had to do to succeed in the industry.

Second incident

A week or two after the first incident, Prasad once again arranged with the victim to meet.

The victim, having performed the earlier sexual act, thought Prasad was arranging an audition or photoshoot for him.

They met in Lavender, and Prasad brought the victim to a Hotel 81 branch there.

When they entered the hotel room, the victim noticed that it was a small room, with the bed at the centre and the toilet to the right of the room.

Prasad then proceeded to undress and told the victim to do so as well.

The victim realised Prasad wanted him to perform the sexual act again and decided to just “get this done and over with”.

Later, Prasad lifted the victim's legs to sexually penetrate him.

This caused the victim much pain, but Prasad told him to relax and continued the act.

This went on for a few minutes.

Impact on victim

The incidents negatively impacted the victim's life, leaving him questioning his sexual orientation and prospects for marriage.

He was unable to confide in anyone due to his strong religious upbringing which made him fearful of the stigma of homosexuality.

In his desire to seek closure, he sought out Prasad via Facebook on Jul. 24, 2018.

The victim had hoped to meet Prasad to let him know how his acts had "destroyed" him.

By then, Prasad had became the Head of Youth and Sports in the PA.

They exchanged messages and also spoke on the phone, but Prasad later blocked the victim on his social media.

Around two years later, on May 30, 2020, the victim sent an email to Prasad's work email address.

In the email, he alleged that Prasad had manipulated him to engage in sexual activities at a “carpark toilet” and in “Hotel 81”.

Prasad did not respond to the email.

A few months later, on Aug. 24, the victim lodged a police report against Prasad for sexual assault.

Judgement

In sentencing Prasad, the judge found the victim to be telling the truth, noting there were "no material discrepancies" in his testimony.

He highlighted the abuse of the position of authority wielded by Prasad in his position in the PA, calling it a significant aggravating factor for Prasad to commit the offences against a young person coming within his charge.

"The acts of the accused and the manner of luring the victim with the promise of a bright future revealed a highly corruptive influence being exerted by the accused to achieve his lascivious aims. This is particularly aggravating," the judge added.

He eventually sentenced Prasad to 10 years and six months in jail.

Prasad has filed an appeal against the conviction and sentence and is currently on bail.

People's Association

In a statement, the PA said it "takes a serious view" of the offences committed by Prasad, reported The Straits Times.

The association said it "acted decisively to safeguard the interests and safety of youths" and took immediate action to place Prasad on leave once it learnt of his arrest.

Prasad was suspended in early September 2020 and was not involved in PA work until his dismissal on Oct. 23, 2024, the day of his conviction.

The PA added that all its staff are expected to "uphold strict standards of conduct and integrity expected of the public service."

Top photo from Canva