Dubai grants 10-year golden visa to family of murdered couple

Daughters of killed couple to receive full scholarships to a school and university in Dubai

The family of Hiren and Vidhi Adhiya, who were killed in their home in Arabian Ranches this year, are granted 10-year golden visas. Courtesy: Dubai Police

Two sisters whose parents were killed in their home in Dubai – and their grandparents – were each granted 10-year golden visas.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and Dubai Police said on Monday that they would also cover the Indian family's accommodation and the girls' education.

The daughters were given full scholarships to Repton School Dubai and the Canadian University Dubai.

On June 17, a Pakistani worker, 24, broke into their villa in Arabian Ranches and killed Hiren, 48, and Vidhi Adhiya, 40, while they slept in their beds.

Prosecutors said the couple were killed in a frenzied assault that began as a planned robbery.

The man is also accused of attacking their two teenage daughters, who found their parents in pools of blood, at their home in the Mirador area of the gated community.

The labourer was arrested in Sharjah a few days after the stabbings. He faces charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder and theft, to which he admitted during questioning, according to prosecutors.

Lt Gen Abdullah Al Marri, commander-In-chief of Dubai Police, and Maj Gen Mohammad Al Marri, director-general of GDRFA presented the family with the 10-year visa in Dubai on Monday.

Police said they had been in contact with the sisters, who had returned to India, to bring them back to Dubai with their grandparents.

They issued special travel permits so they could travel while flights were limited because of Covid-19.

Lt Gen Al Marri said bringing the girls to the UAE, where they could complete their education, was their father's wish.

Dr Karim Chelli, president of the Canadian University in Dubai, said he was happy to support the family by providing a four-year scholarship for the elder sister at the college of engineering. The university will cover the Dh300,000 cost of her study.

David Cook, principal of Repton School in Dubai, said the younger sister would also have the rest of her tuition paid in full.

“The girl was studying at Repton School and it is part of our humanitarian responsibility to stand with the girl and provide all the support she needs,” Mr Cook said.

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

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

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

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

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

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