Australia: Indian Doctor Faces Multiple Rape Charges
Manu Maimbilly Gopal, 39, an Indian-origin doctor in Australia, is facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault even as he pleaded not guilty and called the charges against him "a conspiracy." Meanwhile, on Tuesday after a two-week trial, the Australian Supreme Court jury found Mr Gopal guilty of two counts of rape.
Mr Gopal is alleged to have raped two women during consultations. He may also likely to face charges of sexually assaulting a third patient.
The prosecution accused Mr Gopal of having digitally penetrated two women, on two separate visits, after telling them they needed internal vaginal examinations. They had visited a Sunbury medical clinic in February 2012 where Mr Gopal worked, complaining of abdominal pain.
His first victim, an 18-year-old student, told prosecutors how she shielded her face with her arm during the examination in a "silent scream." Mr Gopal's second victim, a 39-year-old married mother of four, said she was a mess after the examination and that she was shocked and sweating and felt like she wanted to be sick.
Mr Gopal was arrested at Melbourne International Airport on March 1 as he waited to board a flight to the Indian city of Kochi, where his wife and young daughter live, after being told police wanted to question him about the sexual assaults. He had bought a one-way ticket, reports said.
In his statement to the police, Mr Gopal claimed that the allegation made by the two women was "a conspiracy" against him.
Detective Senior Constable Emma Tobin of the Fawkner Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team said that Mr Gopal would be charged in relation to a similar complaint by a second 18-year-old woman.
Reports said Mr Gopal was bailed from the Melbourne Magistrate's Court after a magistrate found the prosecution's fears that he would flee Australia for his native India could be ameliorated by imposing strict bail conditions.