Man accused of strangling roommate to death for Dh600

A worker has been charged in the Court of First Instance with murdering his roommate by knocking him out and then strangling him.

The 31-year-old Indian, identified as K.F., is believed to have taken advantage of the fact that he was alone with the victim on the side of Dubai-Al Ain Road to attack him. According to prosecution records, he knocked him out by punching him on his nose and then strangling and gagging him. He then hid the body under the trees.

The incident happened on October 12, last year. K.F. alleged in the investigation that the victim owed him and other workers some money. K.F. claimed that the victim kept for himself the rent money workers paid him to pay to the landlord.

A police lieutenant said the body was found in a state of decomposition. The police identified the victim and knew he worked at a company in Naif area. “We learnt that the victim had absconded from work and that he was wanted by several workers as he owed them money.” The police knew that all the workers commuted by public transport except for the defendant who drove a car belonging to his workplace.

“We learnt later that he drove outside of the work area where he was assigned. At that time he was our prime suspect.”

The police arrested the accused near Naif police station. They later searched his accommodation which he used to share with the victim. The latter’s personal belongings including his mobile phone were found there.

Another police lieutenant said according to the accused, the victim owed the workers at his accommodation the rent and that he owed K.F. Dh600. “The accused alleged that the victim kept the rent money the workers had paid him to pay to the landlord.

“K.F. admitted that he took the victim in his car on Dubai-Al Ain Road and later pulled over so that the victim stepped out. He then claimed his money back.”

There, K.F. attacked the victim by punching and strangling him. When he saw that he became motionless he kicked his head and hid his body a tree.— mary@khaleejtimes.com