I still memorize the case number by heart and after a year and a half, I still can’t forget my father’s accident here in Dubai. He was hit by a speeding SUV while crossing a service road where cars should not speed (but this is Dubai). The driver of the car just went on like he only hit an ant, never mind there were plenty of witnessing, never mind the sight of a human body being hurled and landed on the hard pavement.
I pass by the traffic prosecution office where my father’s case lies every day on my way to work and my conscience is bugging me. I needed to find closure despite losing hope the case is going to be picked up again by police after they asked me to fly my father here to testify in court and I answered that it is not possible. He was not fit to fly and knowing how it is here, his visa could expire before we are even called to court.
“2011?” The lady at the front desk asked me.
“Why you didn’t come before?”
I explained that I did and needed to come back again but didn’t because I was pregnant, had a complicated delivery, slow recovery and well, you get the picture. I had a baby, I was busy.
After tinkering the keyboard, she calmly told me, “The case is closed. Khalas (Arabic for “it’s over”).”
In state of anger and shock, I asked what action they have taken on the hit and run driver and she said 2,000 dirhams (US$540) police fine. That’s it. No jail time, no damages paid to us, just to the police. She told me, if I want to contest the decision, I could ask Dubai Court to open a civil case, get a lawyer, etc.
Lately in the news,
A man was sentenced to six months in jail for groping woman
A mere FIVE HUNDRED FORTY DOLLARS FINE FOR COMMITTING HIT AND RUN (with witnesses to testify, plate number taken and reported)?
So there goes our closure although it just doesn’t sound right and fair at all.
Finding Backroads 
I’m sorry that your father didn’t receive the kind of justice that he truly deserved. I suppose that in order to make things work in this country, we need to be persistent.
It’s sad, really.
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They refused when I said I would represent my father in court and just take the witnesses with me as I have their contact details and in touch with them). They insisted I let my father come and I didn’t because we all know the inshaallah culture here – you will never know when is when until his visa expires.
We have waited for their action when my father was here and they knew his visa deadline. They caught the driver because someone handed the plate number yet, they took so much time until my father has to go back to the Philippines.
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Sorry for what happens to your father… but let me explain one important thing Inshallah deosn’t mean what you guys understood, however you made it sounds like it will never happend.
secondly, I do understand your case and why u didn’t follow up with the police, but you could call on the phone and speak with their head….
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No, it really doesn’t seem fair at all Grace. I’m sorry you guys had to go through all that and still haven’t found much closure even though the case is ‘closed.’
It just boggles my mind how justice doesn’t really pan out in the end in some cases.
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I’m so sorry to hear about that. I hope there is no permanent damage to your father 🙂
Ipa-barang na lang to ang driver..
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I feel sorry about the case’ result.
More than anything, there’s still a thing we could thank for- your dad is well and though you’re apart, he is in good condition.
have a lovely day.
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Sorry about what happened to your father. Hopefully the perpetrator will face justice one way or another.
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