S'porean woman, 36, doesn't pay S$24 fare, slaps taxi driver, 73, in Yishun, gets 2 weeks' jail

A 36-year-old Singaporean woman was sentenced to jail on Feb. 19 for slapping a taxi driver after she failed to pay her fare of S$24.

The woman, Shalini Devarajan, had told the driver she did not have any cash on her and declined the alternative payment options he suggested, CNA reported.

After challenging him to take her to a police station, she later struck him there.

She was given two weeks' jail for one count of voluntarily causing hurt.

Reeked of alcohol

According to CNA, the male taxi driver, who was 73 years old at the time, had been flagged down by a man at about 3pm on Nov. 11, 2025.

Shalini boarded the taxi alone and was driven to Block 260 Yishun Street 22.

During the journey, the driver noticed that she reeked of alcohol and Shalini was said to have been asleep the whole ride.

Upon arriving at the destination, he woke Shalini up and informed her that the fare was S$24.

In response, however, she told him that she did not have any cash on her and was also unable to make payment via cashless methods.

She later called someone and told the driver she needed to retrieve money from her unit.

He asked her to leave her phone behind, or to allow him to accompany her upstairs, but she declined both requests.

She then challenged him to drive her to a police station.

Took her to police station

On the way to the Yishun Neighbourhood Police Centre, Shalini scolded the driver and took photos of him and his vehicle.

Throughout the journey, the driver chose not to entertain her or respond to her remarks.

At about 4:20pm, after they arrived outside the police station, Shalini slapped the taxi driver once on his left cheek, causing him bodily pain, according to charge sheets seen by Mothership.

The driver later sought medical treatment at a hospital and was given one day of medical leave.

The taxi fare was not paid and Shalini was arrested later that day.

Victim maintained professionalism

According to CNA, Shalini had been granted an adjournment to make payment to the taxi driver.

However, with regard to this, Shalini told the judge she tried to call her friend for the money, but was unable to contact the friend.

The prosecution said the driver had acted professionally throughout the incident and did not retaliate despite repeated provocations.

It added that taxi drivers form a vulnerable group deserving of deterrent protection while carrying out their duties.

Prosecutors sought about S$172 in compensation for the victim’s medical expenses, but Shalini told the court she had no money.

During mitigation, she said she did not realise she had a S$50 note in her pocket at the time and added that she lacked family support and was unable to contact the friend she had relied on for payment.

She also said she was unable to start a new part-time job due to personal difficulties.

The judge declined to order compensation after hearing that she had no funds.

For voluntarily causing hurt, offenders may face up to a maximum of three years’ jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.

Top photo from Taxi Singapore