Ivy Singh-Lim hauled to court

Ng Jing Yng, Today Online 4 May 10;

SINGAPORE - Former Netball Singapore president Ivy Singh-Lim appeared in court yesterday to face two charges - failing to have her farm inspected and not engaging a professional engineer to carry out the check.

Mrs Singh-Lim - the owner of Bollywood Veggies, a farm and eatery in Lim Chu Kang - was brought to court by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) after failing to comply with the inspection orders.

According to court documents, the BCA first informed Bollywood Veggies in April 2008 of the need for its building to be inspected.

However, Bollywood Veggies failed to do so despite five deadline extensions by the BCA.

In the subordinate courts yesterday, Senior Counsel Engelin Teh asked for the case to be heard at a later date as she needed more time to consult with her client, Mrs Singh-Lim.

A pre-trial conference will be held tomorrow.

Under BCA regulations, owners of commercial and industry buildings must conduct structural inspections on their premises once every five years. The inspection must be done by a professional engineer.

If convicted, Mrs Singh-Lim faces a fine of up to $40,000 or a jail term of up to one year or both.