Two bootleggers to be executed in the UAE

Dubai: Two bootleggers will be executed after Dubai's highest court on Monday rejected their appeals in a double murder case.

The Dubai Cassation Court rejected the appeals filed by Majar Singh Gurmej and Amarjeet Singh Gursharan and upheld their death sentences.

In a case that dates back to 2009, the two male victims were kidnapped, gang-raped and murdered with sharp tools and later buried in sand by the convicts. Thirteen defendants — 12 Indians and a Pakistani — were involved in the case.

Jail terms

Presiding Judge Mohammad Nabeel Riyadh pronounced the judgment yesterday and the ruling has become irrevocable. Two of the defendants were handed 15 year jail terms and the rest were sentenced to life. Those jailed will be deported after the completion of their terms.

Prosecutors said the defendants, aged between 20 and 30, kidnapped the Indian victims and stabbed them with knives, swords and cleavers and battered them with iron bars. Then five of the defendants raped the victims.

According to the charges, the victims were buried in sand after the attack. All the convicts were additionally charged with disposing of the bodies of the victims, A.S. and an unidentified man. Some defendants were charged with consuming liquor. Gurmej was solely charged with possessing liquor for trading purposes.

Senior Chief Prosecutor Sami Al Shamsi, Head of Bur Dubai Prosecution, asked the court to implement the toughest punishment applicable against the convicts. An Emirati policeman testified that they were told the victims were kidnapped as part of bootlegging rivalry between two gangs.