A construction worker has been accused of getting drunk and stabbing his coworker after getting into a fight following a heated argument while they were having dinner.

The 22-year-old Indian worker was said to have been drinking heavily while having dinner with his countryman when they got into a heated argument in September. The suspect was accused of grabbing a kitchen knife and stabbing his coworker in the stomach, causing him to bleed profusely, according to records.

The workers’ supervisor at the labour accommodation in Al Qusais area, where the incident took place, subdued the construction worker and stopped him from absconding before handing him over to the police.

Swift medical intervention helped save the life of the coworker who underwent several surgeries after he was rushed to hospital.

Prosecutors charged the suspect with attempted murder.

The suspect pleaded not guilty and denied the accusation that he tried to kill his coworker when he appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Thursday.

The suspect argued before presiding judge Urfan Omar that he was chopping onions and having drinks when he had a heated discussion with his coworker.

The altercation descended into a fight during which the coworker fell over the knife and injured himself, the suspect contended. He, however, admitted to consuming alcohol.

A 37-year-old Indian witness told prosecutors that the incident happened shortly after he went to bed.

“The suspect and the coworker were drinking and dining; shortly after I fell asleep, I woke up suddenly hearing loud cries. I looked in the direction from where I heard the commotion and saw the suspect holding a knife while the coworker was injured and bleeding from his stomach. The coworker walked towards the door wanting to leave but the suspect chased him and wanted to assault him. I also heard the 22-year-old calling the injured coworker bad names and threatening to stab him again,” the witness testified.

A policeman told prosecutors that Dubai Police’s operations room was informed about the incident at 9pm. “Witnesses confirmed that the 22-year-old had stabbed the victim. When we reached the location, the suspect had been already restrained by the accommodation’s supervisor. The 22-year-old was taken into custody. The stabbed worker was rushed to hospital,” the policeman testified.

Presiding judge Omar adjourned the case and the coworker’s statement will be heard when the court reconvenes on April 6.