Two on trial over DH117K bribery in illegal car glass tinting case

dubai — A Jordanian man, 25, has been charged with bribery at the Dubai Court of First Instance after he allegedly offered Dh117,000 worth of bribes to a public employee in return for unlawful favours.

According to public prosecution records, the first accused offered the bribe to the public employee — customer service staff at a petrol station. The petrol station is in contractual relation with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

According to an agreement with the RTA, the two sides had been linked by an e-system, under which the petrol station can process certain services including registration of cars. The first accused solicited the help of the employee, his colleague, and sent him copies of 13 vehicles’ licences on Whats App so that those cars could get permission for 50 per cent glass tinting, even though the employee did not have the power to process such transactions.

The second defendant is accused of abusing his post to seek bribes and breaching his duties.

His unlawful favours were by accessing the electronic files of 13 vehicles, whose number plates were sent to him by his accomplice, and then issuing permits for full glass tinting (front, back and side). The excessive tinting was in violation of the enforced rules and conditions. However, the second defendant issued him new licences for the cars with the excessive tinting after seeking Dh9,000 on each.

Both worked for the same company and used to even work at the same branch in the past. In addition to the bribery, both were charged with forgery and use of forged electronic documents, criminal complicity and gaining unlawful access to an e system. The case unfolded between September 11 and 27, last year.

A police lieutenant said they were tipped-off the first accused. “Our information was that he would seek permits for 50 per cent car tinting from the RTA for money. That much tinting is not allowed unless for very specific cases and within special procedures.”

Our information was that he would seek permits for 50 per cent car tinting issued from the RTA for money.”

A police CID lieutenant