Dubai: A blacksmith has been acquitted for allegedly groping the backside of a female shopper while she was picking up fruits and vegetables at a market.
The Dubai Appeal Court upheld the acquittal of the 26-year-old Indian blacksmith, V.K., and rejected prosecutors’ appeal to have him jailed.
Records said the 34-year-old Filipina woman alleged that she was standing near the fruits and vegetables shelves when she felt someone groped her back.
Citing lack of sufficient evidence, the appellate court found V.K. not guilty after he countered the shopper’s claims confirming that he did not touch her.
The Filipina alleged that when she turned around to see who touched her, she saw the blacksmith behind her.
The woman claimed that she shouted at V.K. and accused him of molesting her then she hurled a carrot at him when he walked away.
Unfounded
“I did not touch her at all. Her accusations were unfounded and she lied,” argued the suspect when he defended himself before the Appeal Court.
Court records said the snapshots taken by the surveillance cameras at the supermarket, where the incident took place, did not clearly show V.K. touching the Filipina,
Records show that the incident happened in August 2013.
“I went to do my usual shopping. I was leaning over the shelves and picking fruits and vegetables when somebody touched. I scolded him immediately and tossed a carrot that was in my hand then,” claimed the woman.
The appellate ruling remains subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 30 days.
