Gauhati High Court Rules Groping Not Part of Gynaecological Exam

The Gauhati High Court has ruled that groping a patient's breasts is not a part of a routine gynaecological examination. The court made this observation while reducing the sentence of a doctor convicted in a 17-year-old case. The doctor had been found guilty of groping a patient during an examination. Considering the doctor's advanced age, the court reduced his punishment to a fine of ₹5,000, with two months of imprisonment in default of payment. The original sentence was not specified, but the court noted that the doctor was now elderly and that the incident occurred many years ago. The case dates back to a complaint filed by a patient who alleged that the doctor inappropriately touched her during a medical check-up. The lower court had convicted the doctor, but the high court, while upholding the conviction, modified the sentence. The high court emphasized that such actions are not part of standard medical procedures and reiterated the importance of maintaining professional boundaries during examinations. The ruling serves as a reminder to healthcare providers about the ethical and legal standards expected during medical consultations. The judgment has been welcomed by women's rights groups, who say it reinforces the message that patients' dignity and consent must be respected. Legal experts note that the decision clarifies the scope of permissible conduct in gynaecological exams.