Sharjah Court Overturns Jail Sentence for Kerala Man in Police Vehicle Vandalism Case

SHARJAH: A man from Thrissur, Kerala, who was sentenced to jail for damaging a Sharjah police vehicle, has had his sentence overturned by the Sharjah court. The favorable ruling came after Yab Legal Services intervened following a complaint from the Sharjah Public Prosecution.

The incident occurred on August 18, 2024, when the individual spray-painted a car parked in front of his residential building in Abu Shagara, which was obstructing traffic. He did not realize it was a police vehicle because it lacked clear markings or a logo. His intention was simply to teach the driver a lesson for causing a public disturbance.

The vehicle belonged to police officers who were on a field mission. After discovering the damage, they identified the man through CCTV footage, arrested him, and brought him before the Public Prosecution. Following his confession during questioning, the Sharjah Court of First Instance sentenced him to one month in jail.

Facing this legal crisis, the man approached Yab Legal Services CEO, Salam Pappinissery. The firm took on the case and submitted a detailed memorandum to the court. The memorandum clarified the full details of the incident and stated that the act was merely a warning, not a deliberate attempt to destroy the vehicle. It also emphasized that he did not intend to damage a police vehicle. The legal team also highlighted that the man is the sole provider for his family, which includes two daughters, and that a jail term would jeopardize their livelihood.

After reviewing the attorney's arguments and the memorandum, the Sharjah court was convinced of the facts. Although the man was subject to punishment under articles 2/241 and 213 of the Criminal Procedure Law, the court showed leniency due to his lack of a prior criminal record and his responsibility as the head of his family. The court overturned the one-month jail sentence and instead ordered him to pay a fine of 3,000 dirhams under articles 13, 14, and 15 of Federal Law No. 2016.

"Many expatriates, especially Malayalis, face similar legal issues," said Salam Pappinissery. "If you encounter problems like this in your neighborhood, you should report them to the police or relevant authorities instead of taking the law into your own hands. Otherwise, you risk facing serious legal consequences."