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Canberra taxi driver Neel Sirohi denies raping passenger

A Canberra taxi driver is fighting allegations he sexually assaulted a passenger twice after picking her up from the city centre last year.

Neel Neelander Sirohi, 30, from Page pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

The ACT Magistrates Court heard the alleged victim was heavily affected by alcohol and medication when she got into the front passenger seat of Sirohi's taxi in Civic, in the early hours of August 2, 2013.

It is alleged Sirohi reached over the woman, sexually assaulted her in the taxi and told her to be quiet when she asked him to stop.

It is alleged he then took the woman to a house at Harrison in Canberra's north and led her inside.

Facts before the court state that the woman was having trouble walking and could not remember much of what happened at the property, due to her level of intoxication.

She told police a man had been leaning over her, and medical tests later confirmed she had been sexually assaulted.

Police say Sirohi later drove the woman to her home where he dropped her off.

But during an interview with police Sirohi said he had never had sexual intercourse with a passenger and that the allegations were false.

The court heard Sirohi is in Australia on a student visa, and has surrendered his passport.

The prosecution said it was concerned Sirohi would try to go overseas, because he told police he usually returned to India twice a year.

The court was told the prosecution has a very strong case against Sirohi.

The 30-year-old is on conditional bail, and will face court again next January.