Dubai: A 22-year-old man has been charged with molesting a six-year-old schoolgirl while teaching her how to pray at her home.
Prosecutors accused the Indian, A.B., of partly undressing the girl, also Indian, and molesting her on the prayer mat in the living room.
Records said the girl's 43-year-old father hired the suspect to give Quran and religious lessons to his girl, her seven-year-old sister and their brother.
Jail wardens told Presiding Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout that A.B. had not been brought from detention. He was scheduled to appear before the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday.
Forensic doctors confirmed that the girl had been molested while she had her clothes on. According to the chargesheet, the suspect used to teach the children the Quran and religious practices.
The father testified that his wife informed him of the alleged incident.
"After A.B. left our place, my girl approached me in fear and complained about her teacher's behaviour. She told me that her instructor had asked her to lie on her stomach on the praying mat before he removed her clothes partly and did something indecent to her," the 35-year-old mother said during prosecution questioning.
Absent
The father told the prosecutor: "I arrived home immediately after my wife called me… it was strange that the suspect was absent although his usual 30-minute session was not over. A.B. used to teach my children religious studies between Maghrib and Isha prayers. I entered the bedroom and saw my wife panic-stricken. My daughter described to me the alleged indecent action."
Records said Dubai police arrested the defendant shortly after the incident.
Judge Barghout adjourned the case until May 2.
