Pune: Siddha Practitioner Arrested for Alleged Assault

Recently, a Siddha practitioner has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman during a medical camp organized at Westin hotel in Koregaon Park. The cops arrested the accused in respect of the complaint filed at the Mundhwa police station.

The accused has been identified as Dr. Gurugokul Bhaskran Guruswami, 30, a resident of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He has been booked under sections 354 (outraging modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment).

A 26-year-old bank employee lodged an FIR at the Mundhwa police station alleging assault by the doctor. She was suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOD), a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries.

Pune Mirror reports that the doctor has mentioned his contact number on Facebook and on April 2, the banker and her friend called on the number and booked an appointment.

After reaching the camp on April 8, she and her friend got a token for the check-up but the receptionist asked them to wait for two hours. The complainant then came back alone after two hours at 3 pm and was called for a check-up inside.

As per the complaint, the banker has alleged that Guruswami proceeded to touch her private parts using treatment as a pretext. She told Mid-Day, "He touched my stomach and then asked me to lie down. He then lifted my t-shirt and touched me inappropriately. He also touched my private parts. I realised the touch was inappropriate but also thought it might be part of the diagnosis."

She also testified that the doctor assaulted her for nearly 15 minutes. He allegedly even asked her if his touch excited her and when she finally asked about the fees to be paid, the doctor told her not to pay.

She narrated the incident to her friend who said she should approach the police. Later she filed the complaint.

Further, in order to confront the doctor, she went back again to the camp only to find that the police were already there to arrest him.

Senior Inspector Anil Patrudkar of Mundhwa police station confirmed while talking to Mid-Day, "We have received two complaints against the doctor. We found 70 women had visited his camp. Our officers have spoken to some of them. Many claimed he touched them inappropriately."

"We arrested Guruswami soon after the complaint. It was his third visit to Pune — he has often arranged such camps for patients. The court has remanded him in magisterial custody," he added.

TOI reports that Dr. Guruswami was produced before a city court, which remanded him in magisterial custody. Police also said Guruswami had arranged a similar camp last year, at the very same mall.

"We are now investigating if he has been involved in more such cases," Patrudkar said.

Dr. Guruswami has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Siddha medicine and surgery (BSMS) from MJ Ramchandran University at Coimbatore. He often posts on social media.