A DOCTOR who fell in love with a colleague and harassed her has been suspended following a court ruling.
Raviraj Karkera committed the ‘sexually motivated’ behavior while working at Verwood Surgery in Station Road.
The Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service (MPTS) ruled that his “gross misconduct” impaired his fitness to practice following a hearing this month.
The court found that a number of improper actions, including telling her colleague she looked like Beyonce after taking the image from her phone without her permission, had been proven.
He also sent her inappropriate texts, including one that said “I want to take you to get drunk and watch” and another that said words to the effect of “relax and don’t be so tense”.
During the operation, he commented on what she was wearing, describing her outfit as “functional but not great”.
He went on to say words to that effect, “I want to challenge you every Monday to wear something more wow and I can rate your outfits.”
The case was brought by the General Medical Council (GMC).
Representing the GMC, Chloe Hudson argued that Dr. Karkera’s behavior “amount to an abuse of trust and power” and that his conduct would be viewed as “deplorable” by other practitioners.
Scott Ivill, representing Dr Karkera, asked the court to look at what Dr Karkera had done since the incidents to show how he would act differently if faced with the same situation again.
Dr Karkera, who qualified as a doctor in 1986, denied that his actions constituted harassment or were sexually motivated, and that he blamed his colleague who had ‘misinterpreted’ his actions.
However, the court panel found that his conduct, which took place in 2019, amounted to harassment, was gender-motivated and continued despite being asked to stop messaging personal and being repeatedly told that his behavior was inappropriate.
Dr. Karkera’s actions were found to have the effect of “violating” the dignity of women.
He was suspended from his activity as a doctor for four months.
Verwood Surgery announced last month the retirement of Dr. Karkera after more than 20 years at the practice.
In a message to patients, he said: ‘It has been my pleasure and privilege (sic) to have been a general practitioner in Verwood and surrounding areas for the past 24 years and a medical career which began in 1986, time has certainly flown by.
“I was fortunate to be supported by our wonderful staff and fellow GPs.”
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