Indian Engineer Sneaks Into Sharjah Airport in Bid to Meet Fiancee

A 26-year-old Indian civil engineer was brought before Sharjah Sharia Court after he tried to breach the airport wall to catch a plane without his passport, the Khaleej Times reported on Feb. 8.

The civil engineer, identified only as RK, said that he did this because he wanted to meet his fiancee back home. “I want to say I’m a free man and our life is ours. I did this act because I wanted to travel back to India to meet my fiancee, whatever the price I have to pay,” the publication quoted him as saying.

He addressed the Sharjah Sharia Court presided over by Judge Mahamood Abu Baker and said that as his company was withholding his passport, he decided to take a chance and sneaked on to the runway to enter the plane without a passport or a plane ticket. He thought that if he got caught, he would face a trial, get his passport and be deported from the United Arab Emirates.

He told the court that he had only his wallet on him and all his belongings were left behind in his flat. He was spotted by a luggage loader, after which he was taken into police custody. He was later released on bail.

He told the publication that he had approached his company over 15 times to get permission to visit home, but the firm, which he says is managed by one of his relatives, had refused. “I cannot live without my fiancee and want to convince my parents to give us permission to marry,” he said.

RK says he does not have any regrets at having to face legal action, adding that he wants to be free to go home and get married. His anger is directed at the company that held his passport against his will, violating the UAE law in the process.

Passports can only be held by the employer for a limited period while renewing or cancelling visas and if done otherwise, it is a violation of the international and UAE labor laws. Legal consultant Hasan Elhais from Al Rowad Advocates told the Khaleej Times that if ordinary people enter prohibited places such as the airport, they can be jailed for up to five years and fined Dh100,000.