Relative Accused of Stealing Gold Jewelry and 100,000 Dirhams in Alleged Theft Incident

An Al Ain court rejected a man's lawsuit demanding 130,000 dirhams from a female relative, ruling he failed to provide sufficient evidence that the money and gold jewelry were given as a trust rather than a gift. The case highlights the legal challenges of proving financial arrangements between family members without proper documentation.

The man filed the lawsuit claiming he had entrusted the woman with gold jewelry worth 30,000 dirhams and 100,000 dirhams in cash through bank deposits. He argued these were temporary arrangements meant to provide support or fulfill obligations that had since ended, not permanent gifts.

But the court found his evidence lacking. The Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial and Administrative Claims noted that receipts and conversations he submitted didn't prove the woman received the money as a trust or that she owed him anything.

The defendant didn't appear in court, though she was legally notified. The plaintiff attended but admitted he had no additional evidence beyond what he'd already submitted.

The court applied the fundamental legal principle that "evidence rests with the claimant and oath with the denier." This means anyone making a claim must prove it happened.

The ruling shows how difficult it can be to recover money in family disputes without clear documentation. Even when relationships turn sour, courts need concrete proof of financial arrangements. Bank transfers alone don't establish whether money was a loan, trust, or gift.

The case was referred for investigation to give the plaintiff every chance to prove his claims through all available legal methods. When he couldn't, the court had no choice but to dismiss the lawsuit.

The man now faces additional costs beyond losing his case. The court ordered him to pay all legal fees and court expenses, adding financial penalty to his legal defeat.

This case reflects a common problem in family financial disputes across the UAE and broader region. Personal relationships often involve informal money transfers that later become contentious without proper legal documentation or witnesses to clarify the original intent.