NOIDA: An ophthalmologist (30) approached police last week, alleging that a patient who was operated on in her clinic was harassing her for months and tarnishing her reputation as a surgeon as she continued to spurn his advances.
According to the doctor’s complaint, Piyush Dutt Kaushik (48) came to her clinic on April 5, 2024, around 10.30am, and had very little vision in his left eye.
A surgery was recommended, and Kaushik and his wife gave the consent to go ahead with it.
The doctor, who has been practising for over a decade, told police that Kaushik harassed her during one of the check-ups before the procedure. “During one of his check-ups before surgery, Kaushik made inappropriate remarks such as, ‘Doctor, you are very beautiful, it’s good that you are unmarried, and I feel better when you touch or examine me,'” the complaint reads.
The doctor said she “ignored” his statement and one of her staff members was “shocked” at his behaviour. The surgery was carried out, and Kaushik was discharged the same day. The complaint says 30-40% of his vision was restored after the surgery.
After that, the doctor alleged, Kaushik kept calling her frequently and at odd hours of the day.
She initially answered his calls, thinking they were related to his health, but he kept trying to engage in personal conversations.
The doctor told cops she was “disturbed” by his behaviour and shared everything with her parents, who advised her to file a police complaint.
“…but I couldn’t do so due to fear of defamation and damage to my reputation. He identified himself as an advocate and began threatening me, stating, ‘You must talk to me, or I will ensure you and your medical practice shuts down,'” the doctor said.
Eventually, as she continued to reject his advances, Kaushik “resorted to blackmail when he experienced further eye discomfort”.
“He insisted that I speak to him, claiming he feels good while talking to me,” the complaint reads.
As Kaushik’s behaviour became unbearable, the doctor said, she told his wife about the harassment and blocked his number.
“This infuriated him further, and he began defaming me through messages in the RWA WhatsApp group… he coerced my staff, pressuring them to persuade me to talk to him… My patients started questioning me about his allegations, resulting in a decline in the number of patients visiting my clinic. This mental harassment also forced me to stop performing surgeries at other locations, further jeopardising my career,” the complaint reads.
Police said an FIR was registered under sections 75(2) (sexual harassment) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of BNS on Saturday. “We are trying to track down the accused as his address is not known. Further investigation is underway,” a police officer said on Monday.
(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
