SINGAPORE – A man with a history of violence has been sentenced to prison once again following a brutal brawl linked to rival gang conflicts that left one man dead.

Visnu Suriamurthi, 28, was sentenced to six weeks in jail on December 20, 2024, after pleading guilty to assaulting Mr. Mohammad Isrrat Mohd Ismail, 29, during a confrontation outside the Concorde Hotel and Shopping Mall on August 20, 2023.

In addition to his jail sentence, Visnu was also fined $2,000 after admitting to a separate charge of illegal gambling, highlighting a troubling pattern among individuals involved in street gangs in Singapore.

The incident escalated early in the morning after both groups had a night of heavy drinking. Visnu and his cohort, banned from the club due to a previous violent incident, encountered Mr. Isrrat, who was delivering wedding invitations at the venue where he had once worked as a bouncer.

The altercation quickly turned violent, leading to staggering injuries on both sides and ultimately the tragic death of Mr. Isrrat.

Witnesses reported that tensions flared as the club was closing, culminating in Mr. Isrrat hurling abuse at Visnu's group. What followed was a chaotic exchange of punches and stabbings.

As the fight intensified, Shahrulnizam, Mr. Isrrat’s friend, attempted to defend them—wielding a knife in a desperate bid to fend off their attackers.

At a critical moment, one of Visnu's accomplices seized Mr. Isrrat’s knife and inflicted multiple stab wounds before the group dispersed.

While Mr. Isrrat and Shahrulnizam fled, their attackers relentlessly pursued them, revealing the deep-seated animosity that had boiled into violence over time.

Sadly, no one could have predicted the turn of events that ultimately led to Mr. Isrrat being stabbed to death.

Asvain Pachan Pillai Sukumaran, 30, a member of Visnu's gang, has since been charged with Mr. Isrrat's murder, a case that still awaits court proceedings.

As police continue to investigate the incident, more than ten individuals have been summoned to court, demonstrating the growing concern over gang-related violence in Singapore.

This case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a night out can spiral into life-altering consequences, especially amidst rising tensions amongst rival factions.

During sentencing, Judge Ong Luan Tze advised Visnu that at 28 years old, he had time to reflect on his future decisions and urged him to avoid returning to court.

The community is left questioning the effectiveness of interventions aimed at deterring gang-related activities, as this incident reveals a troubling persistence of violence that local authorities must address.