UK, March 10, 2006
Ashok Malhotra
NRI, Dr Naveen Shivan, 34 has been charged with sexually
assaulting a 16-year-old patient in her hospital bed
and warrants has been issued in Britain. He was arrested
by police on August 14, 2005. Police said the girl
has alleged that she was indecently touched in her
hospital bed on August 13 during the night.
Shortly after that he asked the court
to approve a three-week trip to India so he could
visit his parents. His request was approved as long
as he provided his travel documentation but Shivan
left the country without doing so, the court was told.
Dr Shivan works in the Ear, Nose and
Throat Unit of Blackburn Royal Infirmary.
But the Preston Crown Court was told
that Shivan had travelled to India and was unable
to return because he was depressed and suffering from
insomnia.
Judge Anthony Russell, issued a bench warrant for
Shivan and warned that the trial will take place in
the doctor's absence if he does not return for the
next court date.
Mark Stuart, defending, said Shivan left his Blackburn
home in Infirmary Close after being burgled and went
to stay at his in-laws' house in Glasgow with his
pregnant wife and child.
His father-in-law attended the court yesterday and
brought a note of explanation, reports in the Lancashire
press say.
Mark Stuart said: "The expectation was that
he would return at the end of January. It seems he
has gone down hill and is being treated for severe
depression and insomnia. The defendant is not well
enough, or mentally fit enough, to travel back to
be before the court. It is thought he will be fit
within a month or two."
