Indian origin doctor in UK cleared of obscene acts on sedated patients

Dr Narendra Sharma

LONDON: An Indian origin anaesthetist has been cleared for a second time of allegations that he used the hands of sedated patients to perform obscene acts on himself.
Dr Narendra Sharma was cleared by a panel of heath watchdogs two years after he was acquitted of criminal charges for the same allegations.
The General Medical Council hearing related to Dr Sharma's work as an anaesthetist at the Marie Stopes International Clinic in Fallowfield, Manchester.
The GMC claimed he took hold of patients' hands during abortion procedures, and exposed himself in the operating theatre.
But the panel, chaired by Dr Alan Montgomery, ruled that seven specific allegations made against him could not be proved.
"The panel has given very careful consideration to all the evidence that has been put before it. It has carefully considered the submissions made by both counsel," the Daily Mail quoted him as telling Dr Sharma.
"The panel has carefully weighed the oral evidence given by the witnesses on behalf of the GMC against the evidence given by you and the oral and documentary evidence of the witnesses who attested to your good character.
"The panel has determined that the GMC has failed to discharge the burden of proof," he stated.
The panel's findings mean Dr Sharma's fitness to practice medicine is not impaired and quashes the allegations of misconduct.
"Dr Sharma has strenuously refuted the allegations from the Marie Stopes Clinic from the outset," Dr Sharma's solicitor Rosemary Rollason said in a statement.
"He was acquitted of these charges at the criminal trial at Manchester Crown Court in April 2009.
"He has had to face the same allegations again at this hearing before the General Medical Council's Fitness to Practise Panel, where he has once again been cleared of those charges.
"This has been a long and very stressful process for Dr Sharma and his family. He wishes to acknowledge the thorough and careful consideration the Panel gave to the case. He is relieved this matter is now concluded," she added.