Singapore: A 73-year-old Indian-origin man was sentenced to six months in prison in Singapore for arranging a marriage of convenience between his colleague and his niece to gain an immigration advantage, according to a media report. In 2016, Meeran Gani Nagoor Pitchai asked Abdul Kader Kasim, 55, an Indian national, to marry his cash-strapped 58-year-old Singaporean niece, Noorjan Abdul Karim. As part of the arrangement, Meeran arranged for his niece to become his colleague's sponsor, TODAY newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Applicants for a short-term visit pass typically require a local sponsor if they want an extension of 89 days from their date of entry to Singapore. Abdul wanted to extend his short-term visit pass, while Noorjan was under financial distress. Abdul paid SGD25,000 to Noorjan and Meeran received SGD1,000 from this amount as Noorjan's ex-husband owed him money, the report said. Subsequently, the marriage was solemnised on September 17, 2016.
On September 28, 2022, Meeran was arrested by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers for arranging a marriage of convenience to obtain an immigration advantage, the report said. In the court on Wednesday, Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Ganeshvaran Dhanasekaran from ICA sought six months' jail for Meeran on the grounds of the need for general deterrence.