[16][17][18] Puthucheary was allowed to sit for his undergraduate examinations under the supervision of a Special Branch officer, but he was soon no longer recognised as a student by the university as he was unable to pay the school fees.

[35][36] Following the Chinese middle school student riots, Puthucheary was detained along with trade unionists Devan Nair and Lim Chin Siong under Preservation of Public Security Ordinance Act for three years, before being released on 4 June 1959.

[40][41][42] He also published a book titled "Ownership and Control in the Malayan Economy" and passed the intermediate examination in law conducted by the University of London.

[43][44][45] Puthucheary objected to the government's decision to transfer all political detainees to the detention centre located on Saint John's Island, and remained to be housed at Changi Prison.

[51] On 1 August 1961, Puthucheary announced his resignation from the government and that he would join the Barisan Socialis, a party formed by members expelled from the PAP.

[52] Minister for Finance Goh Keng Swee clarified in a statement that Puthucheary's resignation was arranged prior to the beginning of conflict within PAP.

[1][4] Puthucheary met Mavis Colleen Scharenguivel when both of them were studying at the University of Malaya in Singapore, and remained as close friends after graduation.

[57] On 8 June 1959, after Puthucheary was released from prison, he married Scharenguivel by a special licence granted by Minister of Home Affairs Ong Pang Boon.

[58][59] However, Minister for Labour and Law K. M. Byrne announced that Mrs Puthucheary's appointment as assistant director of the Department of Social Welfare became temporary upon marriage, and terminated her duties at the end of September 1959.