NEW DELHI: A 33-year-old Indian-origin doctor in the US has been acquitted of charges of allegedly exposing himself and performing a lewd act next to a teenage girl onboard a flight, according to a media report. Dr Sudipta Mohanty, an internal medicine and primary care doctor, was found not guilty on Wednesday after a three-day trial in the Boston federal court, The New York Post newspaper reported.
Mohanty was arrested in August last year and charged with one count of lewd, indecent, and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the US. He opted for a bench trial and handed his case to a judge, not a jury.
In May 2022, Mohanty was seated next to a 14-year-old minor on a flight from Honolulu to Boston. The minor accused him of masturbating until ejaculation, stating that she noticed his fallen blanket and unzipped pants. After arriving in Boston, the minor informed her family members, who then notified law enforcement.
In a written statement, Mohanty expressed confusion about the incident and mentioned that his fiance was seated next to him on the flight. He emphasized his dedication to his profession as a physician and the impact these false accusations had on him.
Mohanty’s attorney released a statement describing him as a talented and dedicated medical doctor with no history of wrongdoing. They expressed relief that the trial had come to an end and stated that Mohanty can now focus on rebuilding his life.
Prosecutors expressed disappointment with the outcome of the case. Mohanty could have faced up to 90 days in prison, a fine of $5,000, and one year of supervised release if convicted.
Mohanty was arrested in August last year and charged with one count of lewd, indecent, and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the US. He opted for a bench trial and handed his case to a judge, not a jury.
In May 2022, Mohanty was seated next to a 14-year-old minor on a flight from Honolulu to Boston. The minor accused him of masturbating until ejaculation, stating that she noticed his fallen blanket and unzipped pants. After arriving in Boston, the minor informed her family members, who then notified law enforcement.
In a written statement, Mohanty expressed confusion about the incident and mentioned that his fiance was seated next to him on the flight. He emphasized his dedication to his profession as a physician and the impact these false accusations had on him.
Mohanty’s attorney released a statement describing him as a talented and dedicated medical doctor with no history of wrongdoing. They expressed relief that the trial had come to an end and stated that Mohanty can now focus on rebuilding his life.
Prosecutors expressed disappointment with the outcome of the case. Mohanty could have faced up to 90 days in prison, a fine of $5,000, and one year of supervised release if convicted.