Dubai: A 23-year-old Indian has accused a niqab wearing Jordanian woman of allegedly molesting him in a lift before stealing USD 1,225 here, media reported on Tuesday. The complainant claimed the 32-year-old woman uncovered her face, kissed and groped him before she stole his 4,500 dirhams (USD 1,225), Gulf News reported. The Jordanian woman has been charged with hugging and kissing the employee against his will and groping him in December. He said after he entered the lift of the building where he works in Bur Dubai, the woman pushed him to a corner, according to his prosecution statement.

"Once I pressed the button for the fourth floor, the woman lifted her niqab [face cover]. She drew herself towards me, then hugged and kissed me against my will. Then she groped me. I tried to walk out of the elevator, but she grabbed me and pulled me back in. She groped me again and hugged me while I tried to push her away. Then, when the door opened again, I rushed out quickly before I realised that she had stolen 4,500 dirhams from my wallet," he said in the prosecution statement.

The defendant entered a not guilty plea before the Dubai Court of First Instance today and argued, "That is absolutely untrue. It is all a lie and his claims are unfounded. I did not and would never do such a thing." When asked by the presiding judge about the incident, she said, "Sir, I am a Muslim woman and practise my religious obligations properly. I am a God-fearing individual. It is impossible for me to have committed such an act, Besides I want the court to review the CCTV footage and look at fingerprints... I am innocent, I did not do that," the report said. The judge adjourned the case to hear the claimant's statement when the court reconvenes on March 8.