A man has bizarrely sued a woman for $2.18 million because she didn't want to be in a relationship with him.
K Kawshigan from Singapore - the CEO of a drone-racing company - first met Nora Tan Shu Mei at a social event in 2016 and they became friends over time, as reported by the ABC.
About four years later, it became clear that the pair weren't on the same page because Kawshigan saw her as more than a friend and wanted a deeper relationship, but Nora had no interest in pursuing that.
According to a court transcript - obtained by the outlet - the woman disclosed to him that she only wanted a friendship and remarked that their "interactions" needed to be "reduced".
However, the businessman didn't take kindly to this and threatened legal action. He then promised to sue her for "monetary damages arising from negligent infliction of emotional distress and possible defamation".
Nora pleaded with her "friend" by sending him a text and writing that her "discomfort (was) genuine," but this was not enough for him as he eventually gave her an ultimatum, per The Straits Times.
The publication reported that he allegedly asked her to "comply with his demands" so they could have a relationship or she will suffer "irrevocable damage to her personal and professional endeavors".
"Your discomfort is as fake as the cause," he responded in one phone message, according to ABC (translated). "And emotionally, till the day I die, you are the cause of my trauma."
In order to try to settle their differences outside of court, Nora agreed to go to counseling with the man but after 18 months of trying, they still couldn't agree because he was "unable to accept her reasons for not wanting any relationship or association with him".
Nora obtained a protective order against Kawshigan and began harassment proceedings so she could seek extra security at her home, as well as get personal counseling.
And in response to this, the outraged man decided to sue her for $2.18 million (USD) in High Court for allegedly causing "damage to his stellar reputation" and "trauma, depression and impacts" to his life, as cited by The Mirror.
In addition to this, Kawshigan filed a lawsuit for $22,000 in the magistrates' court, claiming that Nora had breached their alleged agreement to try to improve their relationship. He also reportedly asked to be reimbursed for the costs of the rehabilitation and therapy programs.
However, the outlet revealed that the lawsuit didn't go in his favor as last month, the court ruled that there was no contract between them and described Kawshigan's claim as "manifestly groundless and without foundation".
"This court will not be an accessory to his calculated attempt to compel engagement from the Defendant who, after years of massaging the Claimant's unhappiness, has finally decided to stand up to his threats rather than cower and give in to his demands," the magistrate wrote, per the publication.
A Singaporean women's rights group called Aware has spoken out about the case and said that it was sorry to hear of the woman’s ordeal, adding: "Women do not owe men their time or attention, much less their friendship, love, sexual activity or emotional labor."
Kawshigan's High Court case is still ongoing - as well as Nora's harassment claim - and he will be back in court on March 2.
