Accused doctor 'took advantage of victims'
A doctor accused of sexually assaulting ten of his female patients under his medical "cloak of legitimacy" has been described as an incorrigible liar, who took advantage of his victims' vulnerabilities to exploit and assault them.
Former GP Ranjit Kumar Panda has been on trial for two weeks, charged with raping and indecently assaulting the ten women during consultations at the Forrest Family Practice in Bunbury in 2012.
In closing, prosecutor Amanda Forrester said the combined evidence from each of the ten women had produced an "overwhelming web of proof" against Dr Panda, which included extorting sexual favours from one patient in return for giving her prescription drugs.
Ms Forrester told the WA District Court that Dr Panda's defence that none of the offences ever took place - and suggestions of a conspiracy against him by other doctors - was "a house of cards built on a foundation of marbles".
The ten women, the youngest of them 17, have told the court how Dr Panda fondled them under the guise of medical care, even when they were seeking treatment for totally unrelated issues.
One woman said she was fondled on her vagina, breasts and buttocks after going to see Dr Panda because she thought she had tonsillitis.
Several other were allegedly assaulted while seeking treatment for urinary tract infections.
Another patient was eight months pregnant at the time, another had her three-month old son with her when she was allegedly assaulted and the youngest alleged victim was with her mother at the time.
That assault is said to have taken place after Dr Panda pulled curtains around the 17 year-old, and then rubbed her nipples while whispering "not bad" under his breath.
Several of the women also said that Dr Panda had suggested he would buy them gifts of lingerie or clothing, and also rang some of them on their private phones after hours - even though he had never been given their numbers.
Dr Panda's lawyer Simon Watters told the court the GP and trained surgeon simply denied any of the attacks had occurred.
"What more could he say other than it didn't happen the way they said it happened," Mr Watters said.
The jury is due to retire to consider their verdicts tomorrow.
