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Attorney Lim Tean was arrested in his office yesterday morning, police said in a statement.
Lim, who is the leader of the Peoples Voice political party, was arrested for alleged criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code.
He is also being investigated for an alleged crime of illegal stalking under the Protection Against Harassment Act.
Lim’s attorney, M. Ravi, who posted about the arrest on Facebook yesterday, said his client had protested that the arrest was politically motivated.
In rejecting these allegations, the police said: “The alleged victims of Mr. Lim Tean had filed police complaints alleging serious crimes committed by him against them, and the police have a duty to investigate the allegations.”
Attorneys representing Lim’s former client had filed a police report for criminal breach of trust, police said.
The client, whom Mr. Lim had represented in a motor injury lawsuit, alleged that the attorney misappropriated a sum of money that the court awarded him as compensation.
Lim is also being investigated for an illegal stalking complaint filed by a former employee.
Police said the employee alleged she was harassed by him while working at his law firm and referred the police to the text messages that she and Mr. Lim had exchanged.
Police said they contacted Lim and sent him a written notice on September 23, instructing him to attend a mandatory interview at the Police Cantonment Complex on Monday to assist with investigations into the two crimes.
They also told him that he could reschedule the interview for another date if necessary.
However, Lim responded through his lawyer on Sunday, the day before the interview, saying he had no intention of showing up for the session and claiming that the investigations were politically motivated, police said.
“As Mr. Lim Tean did not cooperate with the notice to attend an interview with the police and had clearly stated that he had no intention of complying, the police had no choice but to arrest Mr. Lim Tean to carry out the investigations.” said the police.
The arrest would not have been necessary if Mr. Lim had complied with the police notice to go for an interview, they added.
In response to questions, the police shared a copy of the letter sent by Lim’s attorney on Sunday.
In the letter, Lim said he was busy preparing for “a very important trial involving the Prime Minister” in the High Court the following week, and that he will not appear for Monday’s interview.
“Our client also indicates that he does not intend to appear for any interviews, as we have been told that you are investigating false charges against him that are politically motivated,” the letter read.
Lim represents financial adviser Leong Sze Hian, who was sued for defamation by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday and next Friday.
In his Facebook post, Ravi said that Lim had instructed him to act as his defense attorney, adding that the arrest was “illegal” as the case in which Lim is charged with criminal breach of trust is before him. civil court.
Three police officers from the Department of Business Affairs broke into Mr. Lim’s office to arrest him as he was preparing for the lawsuit with Mr. Leong, the defense attorney wrote.
Ravi also posted photos showing Lim, dressed in red, handcuffed.
He later updated that Mr. Lim had been rescued by Mr. Leong.
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