Dubai: A worker has been jailed for three months for groping a woman on the escalator of a Dubai Metro station.
The Dubai Court of First Instance found the 26-year-old Indian worker, J.K., guilty of molesting his 40-year-old countrywoman when he drew his body close to hers in March.
The defendant will be deported following the completion of his jail term.
J.K. pleaded not guilty in court.
“I was on the escalator when I lost my balance and slipped. I mistakenly bumped into her. I did not intend to touch her,” he said.
“Consequently she fell and I quickly held her arm to prevent her falling. I did not molest her,” said J.K.
The Indian woman testified that the incident happened in Jebel Ali Metro station on a Saturday morning.
“I was on the escalator when I felt the defendant placing his body unnecessarily close to mine from the back. His behaviour angered me and I turned immediately to him. When I did so, I lost my balance but I did not fall as I grabbed the edge of the escalator. Then he held my right hand but I pulled it away quickly. When he groped me, I scolded him. People gathered around us and the police were summoned,” the claimant told prosecutors.
The accused has already appealed the ruling and will appear before the Appeal Court soon.
