Manager accused of molesting colleague in Dubai

Dubai - He held her hand forcefully dragging her towards him.

An advertising company manager denied molesting receptionist at his office during a hearing at the Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday.
The 26-year-old Indian receptionist had accused the 53-year-old Indian manager of molesting her by grabbing her left hand, dragging her towards him by force and forcing her to sit on his lap while touching her inappropriately.
According to court records, the victim said she started working as a receptionist for the manager in December 2017. Shortly afterwards, he started molesting her "on a daily basis".
"He would comment on my body and tell me that he wants to have sex with me," the victim told prosecutors.
She added that in February while she was in his office to discuss paperwork, he held her hand forcefully dragging her towards him, forcing her to sit on his lap and touching her inappropriately. "He said he loves me and wants to have sex with me. I was crying and begging him to let me go," she told prosecutors.
The suspect pleaded not guilty when he stood before the Dubai Court of First Instance. Two witnesses who testified in court told the judge that the woman's complaint was "malicious".
One of the witnesses said: "One day, she stormed out of his office furious and I heard her say 'I'll show him what I can do.' She wanted to apply for a visa abroad, and the job description listed on her visa did not help, which made her angry and that is what the fight was about," the witness said.
The other witness confirmed he heard her threat once she stepped out of his office. He testified to court: "The suspect did not molest her."
According to court records, a 29-year-old Filipina told prosecutors she previously worked as a receptionist for the same manager for over two months but left the job after facing repeated molestation acts.
"He would send me love messages on WhatsApp, asking me to go out and have sex with him," said the Filipina. She added that she had filed a case against him  at Bur Dubai police station but he settled the issue with her by giving her the full salary and canceling her visa to allow her to look for another job. The trial was adjourned for defence hearing.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com  

• Dubai