SINGAPORE — A 25 year-old forklift driver was charged in court this morning (Dec 20) for the murder of a woman, whose headless body was spotted floating in a canal near McNair Road on Dec 12.

Gursharan Singh, who is an S-pass holder from India, is alleged to have murdered Indian national Jasvinder Kaur, 33, sometime between 10pm on Dec 10 and 7.33am on Dec 12, together with one other unknown male person at No 228A Balestier Road.

The 25-year-old is believed to be a friend of Jasvinder’s husband, Harvinder Singh, 33. The police are seeking Harvinder to assist in investigations in connection with the murder of his wife.

Gusharan will be remanded in police custody for a week, and may be brought out for a site visit.

Gursharan was arrested at his workplace at 601 Sims Drive on Wednesday afternoon, even though the police had yet to establish the identity of the body.

The police yesterday said two possible suspects in the murder were identified by investigators on Tuesday, based on “extensive investigations and ground enquiries”. Forensic investigators managed to identify the body the same day Gursharan was arrested.

The gruesome murder had shocked residents of the quiet McNair Road estate and became a hot topic.

The hands of the headless body were severed at the wrist. To date, despite the efforts of some 30 investigators who combed through 5 tonnes of rubbish at the Tuas South Incineration Plant immediately after the body was found, the missing body parts have not been found. No weapons have been discovered.

Harvinder Singh crossed the Woodlands checkpoint and entered Malaysia about half an hour before the police received a call that Jasvinder’s body was spotted floating in the canal at 7.33am last Thursday.

The police have sought the assistance of counterparts in neighbouring countries to trace his whereabouts.

The police said Harvinder, who is working as a senior logistics coordinator, came to Singapore in February on an Employment Pass. His wife arrived here on a Dependant’s Pass in September. She worked as a beautician here and the couple lived along Balestier Road.

The police have asked the Indian High Commission to assist in contacting Jasvinder’s family. They are appealing for anyone with information on Harvinder to contact them at 1800 255 0000 or submit the information online at http://www.spf.gov.sg/CrimeStopper.

If convicted, Gursharan faces the death penalty.