This incident took place in Dubai during 1975-76. At the time, I was residing in a flat on Usabekar Road, Deira, Dubai, with my family. This location was in proximity to Naif Road. The flat across from ours remained vacant for a certain duration. Upon the request of a close friend, I assisted in arranging the vacant flat for a friendly couple, Pinto and Julie, who were working in Deira. The initial interactions with our new neighbours went smoothly. Pinto and Julie, originally from Goa, settled happily into their new apartment. Julie established a warm friendship with my wife, while Pinto occasionally extended invitations for drinks to me, which I politely declined on Thursdays and weekends. Their children, along with ours, were enrolled in different boarding schools in India. Julie and my wife occasionally exchanged their culinary creations.

Pinto worked as a welder in a shipping company, while Julie held a position as a receptionist in a private firm. In Dubai, Thursday nights were commonly celebrated as 'Jumma raat,' a time for leisure, joy, and entertainment, given that Friday was a weekly public holiday in Gulf countries. Many expatriates utilized this night for drinks, enjoying a variety of home-cooked dishes as well as meals from restaurants.

On a specific Thursday night, my family and I were sound asleep after dinner. However, in the early hours of the morning, a continuous and forceful knocking startled us awake. I groggily answered the door, followed by my wife. Julie, gripped by panic, rushed into our home like a whirlwind, urgently pleading for our help to rescue Pinto from his suicide attempt by hanging.

Upon entering their flat, I discovered Pinto hanging from a ceiling fan in the main hall, making use of a plastic rope. His body remained suspended, devoid of any movement. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, I quickly grasped both of his legs and exerted effort to raise his body as much as possible. Regrettably, it became evident that he had already passed away. Amid her tears, Julie implored me to cut the plastic rope in hopes of reviving him, but it was too late; his legs had already grown cold. Additionally, concerns about the legal implications arose. In India, cutting a rope used in suicide cases is deemed an offence if done without police intervention. Consequently, I urgently contacted the nearby Naif Road police station, providing them with details of the tragic incident, including our address and my name. A team of around 15 officers responded promptly. I guided them to Pinto's apartment and introduced Julie, who remained in profound mourning.

Following a brief conversation with Julie, the head of the police informed me that I needed to stay put until they "cleared me" from the criminal case. I was shocked by the statement. The way he phrased "cleared me" raised suspicions that he might be considering me as a suspect. Expressing my surprise and distress, I asked him, "Sir, why did you mention 'clearing me' from the criminal case when I had no involvement in this tragic incident?" My intention had merely been to report the incident as Julie was in no condition to do so herself. But the officer was not ready to accept any of my statements...

To be continued soon...

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