GP doctor facing ten sex-related charges still allowed to practice medicine

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

A Grande Prairie doctor who appeared in court Monday to hear a tenth sex-related charge is still practicing medicine. Dr. Palaniswami Murthi was arrested this past June on nine sex-related charges against four patients, including two minors--one male, one female. At that time, the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons didn't suspend Dr. Murthi's right to practice, but instead stipulated that he must be chaperoned in situations when he would normally be alone with patients. However, the College is reconsidering Murthi's status after his arrest last Friday on charges of sexual assault against a fifth patient, this time an adult female. Police are calling all the charges against Murthi "historical in nature." The college is expected to make its decision in the next few days. Murthi's preliminary hearing for the charges laid in June 2008 is scheduled for April 28th through May 2nd, 2009.