DUBAI // Family and friends are awaiting police clearance to retrieve the bodies of an Indian family who died in tragic circumstances this month.
Police say Indian film producer Santosh Kumar suffocated his daughter Gauri, 9, with a pillow before he and his wife Manju Menon slit their wrists.
Financial problems and bounced cheques were behind the tragedy, police said.
Relatives of the family have been told that the official paperwork is being processed, but the complexity of the case has led to delays.
Two weeks ago, officers broke into the Kumars’ Dubai flat and found their three bodies. Family and friends had alerted police because they had not seen the family since July 8.
Police filed the case as suicide after finding a suicide note written by Kumar.
Relatives had hoped they would complete the cremation over the weekend but have resigned themselves to waiting another 10 days because of the Eid Al Fitr break this week.
“The family has been told this is the normal process and since this a complicated case, a lot of papers need to be processed,” a relative said.
“They needed time for the investigations, so the family is waiting for the police papers.”
Maj Gen Khalil Al Mansouri, head of Dubai Police CID, earlier said the department was working to finalise procedures and hand over the bodies to their family.
Relatives have decided to hold the cremation in the UAE instead of taking the bodies back to India.
Kumar’s brother was in Dubai this week from Oman hoping to complete the formalities.
After the police clearance report, the Indian consulate will register the deaths, cancel the passports and the bodies will be released for cremation.
“We will have to wait some more days until the paper comes through,” the relative said.
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Specs
Engine: 2-litre
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 255hp
Torque: 273Nm
Price: Dh240,000
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
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- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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