Indian couple 'ill treated' during desert safari in Dubai

A perfect Dubai desert safari turned into a nightmare for an Indian couple when a catering crew allegedly punched the man in the face and stopped his wife from taking food, according to a report.

The incident took place on Friday when 35-year-old Daiwat Gehani went looking for food for her pregnant friend. According to Gulf News, Daiwat said her friend Sachin Gehani, 36, got angry when another member of the team jerked her hand away as she tried to get food for a pregnant friend.

She said her husband shouted at the staff for touching her, and they had an argument, which soon turned into a fistfight.

According to the report, the Indian couple is demanding a full refund from Dubai based-Arabian Desert Tours, which organised the trip.

ADT responded to the complaint with an e-mail, saying that the spar occurred as the woman insisted on getting the food from the tray using her bare hands.

"We first serve the starters (falafel and shawarma only) to the guests before the BBQ buffet dinner. You requested hummus from the staff, which is served only with the buffet dinner," the firm said in the e-mail, according to Xpress.

"Since you insisted on getting the food from the tray using your bare hands, he stopped you. We don't tolerate this for hygienic purposes. If you had just called the attention of the catering manager about your request, he could have assisted you," it added.