SINGAPORE — A 31-year-old man has been charged in court on Saturday (Feb 17) with the murder of his friend, after an alleged dispute between the both of them. 

Saravanan Arimuram is alleged to have caused the death of Sivakumar Perumal, 43, on Thursday after attacking him when he was driving a prime mover, resulting in an accident.

In a media release on Friday, the police said they were alerted to an accident involving a prime mover along Jurong Town Hall Road towards Ayer Rajah Expressway at 5.47pm on Thursday.

The suspect, the deceased and their 18-year-old friend were taken to the National University Hospital.

Sivakumar, the driver of the prime mover, suffered face and chest injuries, and died two hours after being taken to hospital. 

Court documents revealed the time of the alleged incident to be between 5.30pm and 5.48pm, but did not show how Sivakumar died. 

TODAY understands that the three men – all Singaporeans – were friends and were travelling together in the prime mover, when Sivakumar and Saravanan had a dispute in the vehicle.

It is believed Saravanan had attacked Sivakumar during the journey, causing the latter to lose control of the vehicle and drive off the road.

No other vehicle or property was damaged by the prime mover.

TODAY also understands the 18-year-old is still warded for neck injuries.

Police investigations are still ongoing.

If convicted of murder, Saravanan faces the death penalty.

No plea was taken on Saturday. Saravanan, dressed in a bright yellow singlet, will be remanded for another week for further investigations, and returns to court on Feb 23.