Man to appear in Dubai court charged with Arabian Ranches double murder

Hiren and Vidhi Adhiya were killed as they slept at their home last June

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  Hiren and Vidhi Adhiya were killed when a intruder broke into their Dubai villa. Their two daughters, 13 and 18, survived. Courtesy: Adhiya family

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  Police previously released this image of the man, who was convicted of the couple's murder in April. Photo: Dubai Police

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  The couple were found dead at a villa in the Mirador district of Arabian Ranches, a community on the outskirts of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Neighbours in the upscale community said they often leave their doors and garages unlocked. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The Ranches area also saw a spate of burglaries late last year, residents said. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Police said the suspect climbed over an external wall to avoid security guards. Pawan Singh / The National

A man is to appear in court, charged with the murder of an Indian couple in Dubai.

The 24-year-old Pakistani, referred to as DR in court records, is accused of killing Hiren and Vidhi Adhiya on June 17 last year.

The couple were stabbed as they slept at their home in the Mirador area of Arabian Ranches, in what prosecutors said was a planned robbery that led to murder.

The accused is also charged with the attempted murder of the couple's 18-year-old daughter, who was stabbed in the neck, and with theft.

DR is set to appear before Dubai Criminal Court on Monday, January 20, according to the court's calendar.

Witnesses, including the victims' daughters, have provided testimony to prosecutors.

The ruling judge will decide if they must give evidence in person.

The case will be heard in open court, rather than online, but only those involved in the case will be permitted to attend, in line with coronavirus safety measures.

Daughter’s testimony

The couple’s bodies were found by their 18-year-old daughter, who was woken by the attack.

“I went upstairs after hearing loud noises and used my mobile phone’s flashlight to see,” she said.

She said she saw the attacker as he tried to flee. He stabbed her neck and she kicked him.

Her sister, 13, woke up but was stopped from entering her parents' bedroom by her older sibling, who called police and a colleague of their father for help.

Officers found a bloody handprint on the wall.

A mask found on the victims’ bed contained blood samples that matched the accused’s DNA, evidence said.

The knife used in the murder was found about 500 metres from the house.

Investigators identified the suspect and arrested him in Sharjah a few days later.

During questioning, he said he climbed into the villa’s garden at about 11pm then waited for another two hours for the family to fall asleep.

After the lights went off, the intruder took off his shoes and sneaked in through an unlocked patio door.

He stole Dh1,965 from a wallet on the ground floor and went upstairs in search of more.

When  Hiren Adhiya, 48, woke to the sound of the bedside drawer opening, the attacker fatally injured him before turning to Vidhi, 40.

Forensic reports showed Hiren Adhiya was stabbed 10 times in the head, chest, abdomen and left shoulder. His wife was stabbed 14 times in the head, neck, chest, face, ear and right arm.

It is expected that proceedings could last several months.