Prominent legal aid lawyer Sukhindarpal Singh dies at 69

Legal aid centre lawyer Sukhindarpal Joga Singh died in his sleep today, two weeks after undergoing a heart procedure.

GEORGE TOWN: Prominent Penang lawyer Sukhindarpal Joga Singh, known for his pro bono work, died today at the age of 69, two weeks after undergoing a heart procedure at Penang Hospital.

He died in his sleep at 6.55pm today, said his daughter, Sukerit Kaur.

She described him as being devoted to advocating for the downtrodden, a Liverpool fan, and an avid rider of his cruiser-type motorcycle. He was also deeply involved in interfaith groups and a mentor within the Malaysian Sikh Youth Organisation.

In his legal career, Sukhindarpal served on the Bar Council’s human rights committee and was known for taking up legal aid cases without charge.

“His presence commanded respect whenever he walked into any police station,” said lawyer K Simon Murali, a close friend and neighbour. “He was always there helping the poor accused persons and arrestees who couldn’t afford a lawyer. He was deeply involved in immigration matters.”

Andrew Khoo, a former chairman of the Bar Council human rights committee, said Sukhindarpal was a conscientious lawyer, always passionate about access to justice for accused persons and often taking up cases pro bono. “He also spoke out against poor prison conditions and was deeply concerned for those in conflict with the law.”

In a notable case from 2018, Sukhindarpal and Simon represented two South African women charged with drug trafficking. The High Court acquitted both without the defence being called, a decision later upheld by the appellate courts.

Penang Bar chairman Carolyn Oh praised Sukhindarpal’s talents and his appreciation for both prose and poetry.

Sukhindarpal was educated in Penang Free School and went on to earn a bio physics degree from Punjab University. He later moved into law, earning his degree from the University of London in 2002. Before practising law, he worked for Trane and Hewlett Packard.

He is survived by his wife, Bhupinder Kaur, and daughters Sukerit, Sohayl, and Seffel.

A wake will be held at his residence in Taman Meru Mutiara, Ipoh, tomorrow at 10am, with the cortege departing for Wadda Gurdwara Sahib at 3.30pm.