'Pak man accused of killing Indian couple in Dubai can face death penalty'

A Pakistani man accused of killing an Indian couple here and injuring their daughter was arrested within 24 hours of the crime. Legal expert said if found guilty he could face the death penalty.

The Indian couple from Gujarat was found murdered and their teenage daughter brutally injured by a Pakistani national here last week during a break-in and robbery bid. The couple – Hiren Adhiya and Vidhi Adhiya, both in their 40s were killed on June 18, daijiworld reported.

The Adhiyas were residing at a villa in Arabian Ranches. Their two children, aged 13 and 18, were at home when the incident took place. The elder daughter was stabbed when she came face to face with the accused, but escaped with injuries. Hiren was a senior director at a Sharjah oil and gas contractor. He along with his family had moved to Dubai around three years ago. They have relatives in India's Gujarat state.

It is gathered that the accused was part of a maintenance team who worked on the family's home two years ago. The accused, later unemployed, had knowledge of the family's affluent position, and had returned to rob them of cash and jewellery.

The Dubai Police said he gained access to the Indian family's home in Arabian Ranches through their unlocked verandah door last Thursday.

While investigations are still ongoing, lawyers believe that the suspect will face multiple charges, including premeditated murder of the couple, attempted murder of their daughter and burglary.

"He will be charged with premeditated murder of the couple and will be additionally charged with attempted murder of their daughter," said Dr Hasan Elhais, legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates, khaleejtimes.com reported.

"The number of victims he killed being more than one, and the fact that the murder was associated with another crime – theft – the penalty as per Article 332 of the UAE Penal Code is death," said Dr Elhais.

He explained that some circumstances of the crime are considered by law, which is a reason to stiffen the punishment. "The factors that the theft happened during night time and he did it while carrying a weapon, are recognised by law as elements that allow judges to stiffen the punishment against the defendant up to life in jail as per Article 383 of the penal code," added Elhais.

He pointed out that according to the same law, there are five circumstances when life term jail is awarded for theft. These include when a theft happens at night; if it is committed by two or more people; offenders carry a weapon; if it is happened in an inhabited place by gaining illegal access and if it happened by the use of force or threat," Elhais added..