Doctor 'put his hand down woman's bra after getting tipsy on flight home', tribunal hears

A DOCTOR put his hand down a woman's bra and groped her after he got "tipsy'' flying home on a trans-Atlantic holiday jet, a tribunal heard today.

Rajkumar Mazumder in pink topFACEBOOK

It was claimed that Mazumder grabbed the passenger's breast and nipple

GP Rajkumar Mazumder grabbed the passenger's breast and nipple and rubbed himself on her waist after earlier telling her his wife Dawn was being "miserable", it was claimed.

The alleged sexual assault is claimed to have occurred as the lights were dimmed during the 13-hour flight from Charlotte Airport in North Carolina to London Gatwick.

As a result, the woman - known as Miss A - alerted stewards who moved her for the remainder of the 4,000 mile journey, the tribunal heard.

She later told her parents and police were called but no criminal charges were brought.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service heard the alleged incident happened in September 2012 after Miss A - who suffers from multiple sclerosis- was returning to the UK after visiting relatives.

Rajkumar Mazumder walkingCAVENDISH PRESS

The alleged assault is claimed to have happened when the lights were dimmed

Miss A had significant health issues as a result of her MS

Katie Jones

Mazumder, then 66, and his then 51-year old wife - who had been in the US visiting his grandchild - were seated in the row behind Miss A on the plane and the GP began talking to her, the tribunal heard.

Katie Jones, for the General Medical Council, said: "Miss A had significant health issues as a result of her MS.

"She states that she suffered from significant back pain which she took daily medication for, numbness in her back and similar difficulties with her feet and left side.

"She sometimes has to use a walking stick to assist her. She received some assistance boarding the flight because of her disability.

"There was an initiated conversation that took place between herself and the doctor. They made small talk and he asked about her trip and mentioned he was a doctor.

Rajkumar Mazumder walkingCAVENDISH PRESS

Mazumder and his wife had been in the US visiting his grandchild

"A while later the doctor, who she states had been drinking alcohol during the flight, appeared to be tipsy and went for a walk. He stood up and initiated a second conversation, asking why she used a walking stick.

"She told him it was due to her condition of MS. She said she seemed to remember he offered to examine her and she would have refused that and at that point the doctor introduced his wife with a derogatory comment about her being miserable as she was sitting behind.

"At some point during the flight, once the lights had been dimmed, the doctor went for another walk and on the way back to his seat he rubbed his groin against her left side, specifically her waist."

She said that while doing that Miss A felt that he was aroused.

"She states she thought his behaviour was inappropriate. He really leaned over and rubbed his groin against her.

Rajkumar Mazumder by Caffé NeroGETTY

Mazumder denies misconduct

"He also put his hand down her top and inside her bra, grabbing her breast and nipple fairly hard.

"He hurt her when he grabbed her breast and remained there until she stood up. His action made her scared and frightened.

"He had not asked permission to touch her. She alleges his action was sexually motivated."'

Mazumder, from Southgate, London later voluntarily attended a police station to be interviewed.

Miss Jones added: "He told the police she had told him she suffered from MS, she had volunteered that information and he was concerned about her on the flight and offered to examine her.

"The matter was not referred to the GMC until three years later when he underwent Disclosure and Barring Service checks on his background.

Mazumder, now 70 and living in Spain, denies misconduct.

The hearing continues.

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