UAE: Justice for Indian expat's family as court grants ₹95 lakh compensation in road death case

The family of Musthafa Odayappurath , an Indian expatriate cook from Kerala, has been awarded a total of Dh400,000 in compensation following his tragic death in a road accident in Abu Dhabi in 2023. This amount includes an initial Dh200,000 diya payment alongside an additional Dh200,000 compensation awarded after a legal claim citing insufficiency of the original amount.

TL;DR:

• Musthafa, aged 49, died after being hit by a car on July 6, 2023, while crossing the road after alighting from a bus in Abu Dhabi. Investigation revealed negligent driving through Falcon Eye camera footage.

• The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court fined the driver Dh20,000 and ordered a Dh200,000 diya payment per Islamic law.
  
• The total compensation of Dh400,000 (approx. ₹95 lakh) will be paid to Musthafa’s mother, wife, son, and daughter ahead of the daughter’s wedding in September 2025.

Details of the incident and legal proceedings
Musthafa Odayappurath, originally from Malappuram district, Kerala, was fatally struck by a car while crossing Al Bateen–Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street in Abu Dhabi. Investigations supported by Falcon Eye surveillance footage confirmed the driver’s negligence, which led to Musthafa’s immediate death at the scene.
The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court initially imposed a fine of Dh20,000 on the driver and mandated a Dh200,000 diya (blood money) payment to the family under Sharia law. Considering the diya amount insufficient to support the bereaved family, YAB Legal Services, legally led by Salam Pappinissery, filed a supplementary compensation claim with the UAE’s Insurance Authority.
After thorough legal proceedings including submission of essential documents such as a legal heir certificate, breadwinner certificate, and court judgment, the court directed the insurance company to pay an additional Dh200,000. This raised the total compensation to Dh400,000.
Impact on the family
Musthafa’s family includes his mother, wife Hajara, son Azeeb, and daughter Habeeba. The compensation news came as a relief just days before Habeeba’s wedding, scheduled for September 1, 2025. Hajara expressed gratitude to the legal team and the judicial system for supporting their claim. She highlighted that while no amount of money can bring back their loved one, the compensation will significantly support their children’s future, including continuing education and family stability.
Musthafa was known for his kindness, often buying gifts for children and sending them home whenever he visited Kerala. At the time of the accident, he was carrying a new outfit for his daughter.

Under the UAE Federal Traffic Law, drivers must give priority to pedestrians at designated crossings. Failure to comply results in fines and traffic points, with penalties escalating in the event of injuries or fatalities. This case underscores the importance of road safety and responsible driving.

FAQ

• 1. Who was Musthafa Odayappurath?
  He was an Indian expatriate cook from Kerala who died in a road accident in Abu Dhabi in 2023.
  
• 2. What caused the accident that led to Musthafa's death?
  The accident was caused by negligent driving, confirmed through Falcon Eye camera footage.
  
• 3. How much compensation was awarded to Musthafa’s family?
  The total compensation was Dh400,000, including an initial Dh200,000 diya payment and an additional Dh200,000 from the insurance claim.
  
• 4. Who benefits from the compensation?
  Musthafa’s mother, wife, son, and daughter are the beneficiaries of the compensation.
  
• 5. What legal actions were taken against the driver?
  The driver was fined Dh20,000 by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court for negligent driving.