A taxi driver is standing trial accused of physically assaulting a fellow driver by punching him in the face and causing him a permanent injury. The 29-year-old Nepali's assault on the other driver, a Pakistani, happened when the latter tried to overtake him in the Marina area. But he alleged that he only acted in self-defence.

"It was around 9:30pm on February 26. I parked my car on the side of the road and went to the washroom. When I came back I saw that the defendant's car had blocked my way. I requested him to move his car but he would not. However, he got angry when I could drive ahead as soon as the car that was in front of him moved. He came to me and opened the door and then tried to close it violently but I stopped him," the 26-year-old Pakistani taxi driver, who was assaulted, said.

The complainant said he got hurt and suffered a skull fracture when the accused punched him in the head. He said he passed out for a while and then woke up and was taken to the police station and then to hospital.

The policeman, who reported the incident, said that both taxi drivers looked injured and their shirts torn up. "I learned from them that they had a brawl following which the accused punched the other man while he was behind the wheel. The victim then stepped off his car and slapped the accused who later alleged that he only acted in self-defence."

The forensic report showed that the attack left the complainant with a permanent face injury and nasal infection.

The accused admitted in the interrogation and investigation that he punched the complainant in the face.

Source: Khaleej Times