A stern warning has been issued by the police to the man who verbally abused a security guard at his condominium.
Another four were given warnings for harassing the man after a video for the incident spread on social media in October last year.
Mr Ramesh Erramalli, 44, can be seen in the viral video verbally abusing a security guard at Eight Riversuites Condominium where he lives.
The police issue a statement earlier today (17 Jan) to say that the investigations into the incident involving Mr Erramalli have been concluded. In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the culprit was given a stern warning for “intentionally causing harassment” to the security guard.
The police also investigated threatening messages that Mr Erramalli received following the incident, despite him not wanting to pursue the matter. Threats of death, violence, and rape were made against him and his family.
On that, stern warnings were issued to two men, aged 41 and 47, for causing intentional harassment. Another two, aged 19 and 56, were given a 12-month conditional warning for threatening Mr Erramalli and his family with death and violence.
What happened?
In October last year, a video started circulating online of a man in a sleeveless shirt and shorts yelling and swearing at the top of his voice after being told by the senior security supervisor that he needed to pay parking fees for guests visiting the condo. He told the security officers that he had bought his apartment for $1.5 million, and began swearing at the officer.
On Facebook after the video went viral, Mr Erramalli commented in a closed Facebook group for condo residents that the security officer was “bullying” his visitor by asking what time he was going to leave.
A screenshot of the man’s comment in a closed Facebook group for the condo’s residents has also been circulating in social media. In his defence, he claimed that the security officer was “bullying” his visitor by asking what time he was going to leave.
“In what capacity the security can decide on what time my visitor should leave,” the man wrote. “He (security officer) was not allowing my visitor to enter when the time of entry was 10.30pm and not even 11.”
“When I went down I asked the security to give me the receipt and I will deal with the management but he insisted to pay (sic). Again in what capacity he must ask me to pay when I myself dosnt (sic) know what time my visitor would leave,” he added.
He said that his Deepavali weekend was ruined by the incident as he had received more than 200 threatening calls, after disclosing his mobile number in the viral video.
Following the incident, the Association of Certified Security Agencies (ACSA) issued a public statement condemning the behaviour of the resident. The association also applauded the conduct of the security guard who remained calm, composed, and professional in what was described as a “tense situation”.
The association also stressed that it does not tolerate the abuse of security officers whilst they are discharging their duties.
A police report was then made by the security guard against the resident.
The Association also requested for the AG to press for a deterrent sentence and for the authorities to cover security officers as public service workers under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA).
