Dh400,000 awarded to family of Indian expat cook killed in UAE road accident

Abu Dhabi: The family of an Indian expat cook in the UAE who died in a 2023 road accident has been awarded Dh400,000 in total compensation, after an additional claim was filed following an initial Dh200,000 diya payment.

According to YAB Legal Services, which handled the case, the amount was awarded to the family of Musthafa Odayappurath, a native of Malappuram district in the south Indian state of Kerala, who tragically died on July 6, 2023.

Musthafa was hit by a car while crossing the road after alighting from a bus in Abu Dhabi. He sustained critical injuries and died at the scene. The accident took place on Al Bateen–Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, according to legal documents.

Investigations, including Falcon Eye camera footage, confirmed the accident was caused by negligent driving.

Following this, the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court imposed a Dh20,000 fine on the driver and ordered him to pay Dh200,000 as diya to Musthafa’s family, the company said. Diya money, also known as "blood money", is a form of financial compensation paid to the family of a deceased person under Islamic law (Sharia).

However, YAB Legal Services, led by CEO Salam Pappinissery, filed a separate compensation claim with the Insurance Authority on behalf of the family, citing that the diya amount was insufficient.

After a legal process involving the submission of key documents such as the legal heir certificate, breadwinner certificate, and court judgment, the court directed the insurance company to pay an additional Dh200,000.

This brought the total compensation to Dh400,000 (approximately Rs9.55 million), according to the legal consultancy.

Musthafa is survived by his mother, wife, son, and daughter, who will be the recipients of the compensation.

Speaking to Gulf News over the phone from Kerala, Musthafa’s wife, Hajara, said the family received the news about the compensation just ahead of their daughter’s wedding scheduled for September 11.

“We were informed about it just a few days ago, on the night of her engagement day,” said Hajara, a homemaker.

She said she was profusely grateful for her prayers being answered.

Musthafa, who worked as a cook with an Arab family in Abu Dhabi, was 49 years old when he passed away.

“He used to come home only once every one-and-a-half or two years. We lost him around seven months after he last visited us. He had this habit of buying gifts for kids whenever he saw them and he used to send them by cargo,” said Hajara.

On the day of his death, she said, he was carrying a new outfit he had bought for their daughter Habeeba.

Hajara said both Habeeba and her brother Azeeb were minors when Musthafa passed away.

“Now, my daughter is an adult. She is studying in her final year of degree. Her fiancé has agreed to let her continue her education. My son is in plus two (grade 12). This compensation will not bring their father back. But it is a big relief for my children’s future,” she said.

She also thanked the legal consultancy and the judicial system in the UAE.

Under the Federal Traffic Law, drivers who fail to give priority to pedestrians at designated crossing points will face a fine of Dh500 and receive six traffic points.

Penalties become higher when there is an accident causing injuries or death.