Dr Rajeev Kumar Pathak, 48, remains on bail after it was granted earlier this year. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged sexual abuse.
A Canberra cardiologist now faces an additional charge after a fifth woman accused him of abuse.
Earlier this year, it was alleged Dr Rajeev Kumar Pathak sexually, physically or indecently abused four women employed by his clinic over several years.
He denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.
Then on Thursday (12 June), the ACT Magistrates Court heard a charge of committing an act of indecency without consent had been laid against Dr Pathak in relation to a fifth woman, also a former employee.
While it has previously been reported that a fifth complainant was involved in the case against him, the charge was heard in court for the first time on Thursday.
The allegations relating to this charge were not said in court.
Dr Pathak did not appear in court himself, but his lawyer, Adrian McKenna of Hugo Law Group, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf to the new charge.
Mr McKenna also said quite a lot of material in the case was still outstanding, and prosecutor Marcus Dyason said he expected it would be available by the end of the week, describing it as a substantial tranche of material.
The matter was adjourned to 3 July. Dr Pathak remains on bail.
He has already entered pleas of not guilty to his 20 charges relating to the original four women.
These include six counts of assault, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, seven counts of committing acts of indecency, two counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, as well as single counts of attempted sexual intercourse without consent and capturing visual data.
Dr Rajeev Kumar Pathak is the director of Canberra Heart Rhythm, which has a clinic in the ACT, as well as South Coast Heart Rhythm in Broulee, NSW.
He remains suspended from practising medicine due to a decision by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal made earlier this month.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
