Supreme Court Denies Relief to Cardiologist Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Daughter

New Delhi: Observing that 'a man becomes a beast' after drinking, the Supreme Court has refused to grant relief to a cardiologist convicted by a trial court for sexually assaulting his seven-year-old daughter.

Based on the testimony of the survivor and other evidence, the trial court convicted the doctor, and consequently, the doctor approached the Supreme Court bench seeking suspension of sentence.

However, the Apex Court bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma said that the doctor has been convicted by a trial court, and it was not inclined to grant any relief.

Noting that the offence was committed when the accused was under the influence of alcohol, the bench observed orally, "See, the kind of things he has done to the child. You do not deserve any relief. The child has made statements against your client. He is a perverse guy, not entitled to any suspension. They were drunk."

"You can’t do this to your own daughter. Why will she testify against father. She is a small girl who has withstood cross examination. Man becomes a beast after having a drink. We should not say this, but we are the most liberal Bench. If we are not giving bail, there are reasons," the bench was further quoted by PTI.

Also Read: Doctor accused of sexually assaulting teen at his clinic, arrested

The survivor's mother filed the complaint against the cardiologist. In the FIR, she accused her husband of sexually assaulting their daughter. She stated that while she stays in Varanasi, her husband stays in Uttarakhand, where he runs a nursing home. 

On March 23, 2018, the doctor took his daughter to Uttarakhand; on March 30, he telephoned his wife to take her back. Later, the girl told her mother that her father was a bad man and had indulged in bad touch.

As per the latest media report by Law Trend, the trial court had convicted the doctor based on the survivor's testimony and other evidence, and it ultimately led to the current stage of proceedings.

Seeking suspension of the trial court's sentence, the doctor approached the Supreme Court and his lawyer contended that the testimony of the daughter was tutored.

The doctor's counsel further pointed out that more than 12 lakh cases were pending in the Allahabad High Court, and therefore, the appeal against the conviction would not be heard anytime soon.

However, the Supreme Court said that it could not be grounds for the suspension of sentence. Thereafter, the lawyer withdrew the plea and the matter was dismissed as withdrawn.

Also Read: Allahabad HC rejects bail plea of doctor accused of sexually assaulting On-duty nurse