Bus driver jailed for molesting passenger, Dubai court rules

The driver had denied molestation, saying that he stretched his hand as a habit and must have touched the woman by mistake.

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DUBAI // An RTA bus driver charged with molesting a female passenger has been sentenced to six months in jail.

Indian S S, 32, directed the woman to sit on a box next to him on March 5 because there were no seats available.

When the Egyptian woman, M H, 37, went to lean on the box next to the driver, she said he stretched his arm out and touched her behind.

She said she started crying then decided to call the police.

The driver denied molestation, saying that he stretched his hand as a habit and must have touched the woman by mistake.

He told prosecutors that the woman was chubby and, as she sat back, this caused his hand to come into contact with her behind.

“I didn’t touch her — she leaned back and, when her body came on my hand, I pulled my hand back,” the driver said.

At Dubai Criminal Court on Wednesday, the driver SS was found guilty and sentenced to six months, to be followed by deportation.

newsdesk@thenational.ae