Property Owner and Construction Firm Fined $400,000 for Irreversible Damage to Conserved Little India Shophouse

Singapore authorities fine a property owner and construction firm $400k for the unauthorized demolition of a century-old shophouse in Little India.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 8:41 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

An Egregious Breach of Conservation Standards

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has issued a stern warning to property owners following a landmark court ruling involving a historic shophouse in Little India. On April 22, the owner, Manickam Nagarajan, and the firm Layan Management were fined a combined $400,000 for carrying out unapproved renovation and demolition works. The URA characterized the incident as an egregious breach of the law, noting that the unauthorized actions led to the irreversible loss of heritage value for a structure that had stood for over a hundred years. This prosecution marks the first time the court has utilized the stiffer penalties introduced by the 2017 Planning Act amendments to address the destruction of conserved buildings.

The Systematic Destruction of Pre-War Architecture

The property at the center of the dispute, 32 Desker Road, was a two-storey shophouse built around 1913. At the time of its purchase in October 2022, the building was noted for its rare first-storey facade, featuring traditional timber-framed casement windows and double-leafed timber doors. Despite being aware that the building was protected under Singapore’s conservation program, Nagarajan bypassed the required permit process to convert the unit into a co-living development. By the time inspectors intervened, fundamental elements—including the original rear facade and the service block—had been completely removed, destroying the authentic historical fabric of the site.

Ignoring Official Warnings and Legal Mandates

The court proceedings revealed a documented history of disregard for official directives. The URA first inspected the site in early January 2023 following public feedback, issuing both verbal and written warnings to cease all activity. Despite these interventions, subsequent inspections revealed that works were ongoing, with walls being demolished and new structures being erected in the rear court. The investigation found that Nagarajan had intentionally avoided appointing a registered architect to manage the project, seeking to expedite the renovation and maximize rental income while circumventing the professional fees associated with conservation compliance.