SANJAY CHATTERJEE SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER FROM KENT STRIKED OFF AFTER INAPPROPRIATE EXAMINATION
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the medical community in Kent, Dr.Sanjay Chatterjee, a family general practitioner with a troubling history, has been formally removed from the medical register following a series of serious professional misconduct allegations.
The case highlights a pattern of inappropriate behavior and breaches of trust that culminated in a distressing incident involving a female patient at the Aylesford Medical Centre in May 2021.
Chatterjee, aged 60 and residing in the village of Larkfield near Aylesford, Kent, had previously been convicted of sexual assault in 2011 after a series of inappropriate encounters with a receptionist at a Medway clinic.
Despite his conviction and subsequent restrictions, including a five-year registration requirement, he continued to breach conditions by traveling abroad using a new passport, often flying to destinations such as Kolkata in India and Portugal, without proper authorization.
These violations led to a suspended prison sentence of 84 days, which was suspended for a year, along with 200 hours of unpaid community service and a fine of £200 for non-compliance with travel notification requirements.
His earlier misconduct involved two separate incidents with a receptionist, where he twice grabbed her by the bottom and later attempted to kiss her during work hours.
The receptionist recounted that she was working a Saturday shift at an out-of-hours clinic in Medway when Chatterjee's inappropriate behavior first occurred.
She described how he placed his hand on her buttock while she was sitting at the reception desk and later, while she was searching for a medication, he stood uncomfortably close behind her, invading her personal space.
When she turned to ask for help, she found him within inches of her face, engaging her in conversation about her jewelry before attempting to kiss her, which she narrowly escaped by raising her arms in a trained conflict resolution move.
Following these incidents, Chatterjee was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court in 2011, receiving a sentence of 250 hours of unpaid work, a £1,000 court costs order, and a requirement to register as a sex offender for five years.
Despite this, he insisted that the encounters were consensual, claiming that he was having an affair with the second woman involved.
His wife, Sumona, an NHS manager, publicly defended him, stating that he was unfairly portrayed and that he had made only a single mistake.
Chatterjee himself expressed remorse for betraying his family, acknowledging the pain caused by his actions.
His medical career faced temporary suspension in July 2014, with the General Medical Council (GMC) calling for him to be struck off.
However, by March 2015, he was permitted to resume practice under supervision, eventually returning to unrestricted work.
Yet, his past continued to haunt him, as he was caught traveling abroad without proper authorization in 2016, leading to a further court appearance and a suspended prison sentence of 84 days, along with community service and a fine.
Fast forward to May 2021, when Dr.
Chatterjee was involved in a highly inappropriate and distressing examination of a female patient, known as Ms.
A, who was being treated for ulcerative colitis and rectal bleeding.
According to her account, the doctor asked her to get onto the examination couch, then proceeded to pick up a speculum and apply lubricant without providing any explanation or warning.
Ms.
A described feeling tense and sore during the procedure, and was shocked when Chatterjee inserted the speculum into her vagina without prior notice, leaving her feeling violated and confused.
She recounted that he simply stated, “I can't see anything in there, maybe they're further up,” before inserting the instrument without further discussion.
A student nurse present during the examination observed that Dr.
Chatterjee's communication was notably poor.
She noted that he did not introduce himself, ask how the patient was, or explain what was going to happen, instead abruptly instructing Ms.
A to undress.
An independent expert later confirmed that the vaginal examination was neither clinically indicated nor appropriate, given the patient's symptoms were related to bowel issues and not the reproductive system.
The expert emphasized that the examination was unnecessary and unwarranted.
Ms.
Jade Bucklow from the GMC highlighted the emotional impact on Ms.
A, stating that she was left feeling confused, violated, and distressed.
She had to contact friends and family in tears and later provided evidence to the police, who considered whether a sexual assault had occurred.
The investigation revealed that Dr.
Chatterjee failed to obtain informed consent for the intimate examination, which was deemed inappropriate and not clinically justified.
The distress caused was compounded by the fact that the doctor did not demonstrate an understanding of the gravity of his misconduct or show any remorse.
Chatterjee did not attend the disciplinary hearing but issued a statement indicating he had no intention of returning to medical practice.
He claimed that if any contact with the patient's vagina occurred, it was unintentional and that a chaperone was present during the examination.
His legal counsel, Martin Forde KC, argued that the misconduct was isolated, with no evidence of sexually motivated behavior since his 2011 conviction, and suggested that the panel could have addressed communication issues more easily.
However, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) chairman, Mr.
Graham White, emphasized that Chatterjee's failure to obtain proper consent caused significant emotional harm to Ms.
A.
He noted that both her daughter and friend described her as being visibly distressed and tearful after the incident.
The tribunal also considered the fact that Chatterjee's previous suspension for sexual assault was a serious aggravating factor, and that he appeared not to fully grasp the seriousness of his misconduct or to have taken steps to remediate his behavior.
The panel concluded that his actions warranted erasure from the medical register, effectively ending his medical career.
In summary, this case underscores the importance of professional integrity and patient safety within the healthcare system.
It also serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that breaches of trust and inappropriate conduct can have on vulnerable patients, especially when committed by medical professionals entrusted with their care.
