News
S'porean law firm director, 61, who allegedly misappropriated S$4,000 from client, dies 1 day before trial
His charges have since been abated.
October 24, 2025, 04:32 PM
A 61-year-old law firm director, Dhanaraj James Selvaraj, who had been accused of misappropriating S$4,000 from a client, passed away on Oct. 22, just one day before his trial was due to begin.
As a result, court proceedings related to his case have been discontinued.
According to an obituary cited by The Straits Times, Dhanaraj died on Oct. 22.
His charges were formally abated the following day, which was initially scheduled as the first day of his trial.
Dhanaraj was a director at James Selvaraj law firm.
Misappropriated S$4,000 from client
According to court documents seen by Mothership, Dhanaraj was the legal counsel for a man named Velmurugan Ramesh, when he allegedly pocketed S$4,000 from the victim between March and April 2020.
Dhanaraj also allegedly entered into an agreement with another man, 51-year-old David Raj Daniel Krishnan, on or around Jun. 21, 2019.
Under that agreement, Dhanaraj reportedly assured David that he would be indemnified against any liability incurred from acting as a surety for Velmurugan's bail bond, which is an offence under the Criminal Procedure Code.
Further details about Velmurugan's case were not disclosed in court documents.
Top photo via Canva
