Indian man denies molestation charges in UAE

Dubai, June 23 (IANS) An Indian expatriate Monday denied charges that he had molested a woman on a Dubai Metro station escalator, a media report said.

The Indian, identified only as J.K., 26, has been accused of groping a 40-year-old Indian woman when he drew his body close to hers from the back on an escalator in a Dubai Metro station in Jebel Ali area in March, Gulf News reported.

The defendant entered a not guilty plea before the Dubai Court of First Instance Monday.

"I did not molest the woman. I was on the escalator when I slipped and lost my balance. Then I bumped into the claimant by mistake. I did not intend to touch her," the defendant was quoted as saying.

"I was using the escalator when I felt the defendant drawing his body unnecessarily close to mine from the back," The victim, in her testimony before the prosecutors, said.

"I was angered by his behaviour and turned immediately to him... when I did so, I lost my balance but I did not fall. Then he grabbed my right hand but I pulled it away quickly," she added.

"When he groped my top, I got angry and scolded him loudly," the woman said.

Police were called to the crime scene.

The court will pronounce judgment July 21.