Doctor in dock for using electric shocks to 'cure' homosexuality
It's been three months since the Supreme Court has scrapped IPC Section-377, which made gay sex 'unnatural'. However, it seems the real intention of the ruling hasn't yet reached the masses, including the educated ones. Like this Delhi doctor, who thinks homosexuality is a "genetic mental disorder", and uses electric shocks to 'treat' such 'patients.' He has now been summoned by a city court.
Conversion therapy not recognized by medical field, legislation: Court
Dr P K Gupta, who runs a super-specialty hospital in Karol Bagh, has been accused for violating norms, as "the treatment given by the doctor as a part of 'conversion therapy' isn't recognized either by medical field or by the legislation," pointed out the court.
'Legislature didn't think sexual orientation is part of mental illness'
Metropolitan magistrate Abhilash Malhotra further said, "It is amply clear that the legislature in its prudence and vision did not think sexual orientation to be part of mental illness." He was hearing a complaint filed by the Delhi Medical Council (DMC), which had barred Gupta in 2016. Ignoring the notice, he continued his shocking practice and projected himself as a doctor.
Gupta also charged a stunning Rs. 4,500 for 15-minute counseling
This in itself makes Gupta liable for prosecution, the court noted. A person found practicing without registration, even if qualified, shall be liable for action specified by the council, it said. Going further, the court said Gupta's fees were also exorbitant, compared to standard rates. He charged a stunning Rs. 4,500 for just 15 minutes of counseling, after which he decided upon the therapy.
Not registered with DMC, so not liable to reply: Gupta
DMC, taking a note of such unprofessional practices, had issued a notice to Gupta, which he ignored. Rather he responded that since he wasn't registered with DMC, he wasn't liable to respond. Apart from defying the DMC, the doctor also breached a provision of the Indian Medical Council Act, Malhotra said. This contravention also entails a maximum of one year jail term, he added.
Naz Foundation's Anjali Gopalan had apprised DMC of such doctors
Anjali Gopalan, executive director of Naz Foundation (India) Trust, was the one who apprised the DMC, through a letter, of doctors like Gupta who claim to be experts in converting "homosexuals into heterosexuals". In her letter, Gopalan had referred to a 2015 news report that mentioned doctors like Gupta used hormonal therapy, shock treatment and medications as part of their treatment.
Sadly, Gupta is not the only homophobic doctor in town
Their dubious treatment methods, which also include talk therapy, often lead to depression, anxiety, seizures and suicidal tendencies, Gopalan's letter read. The doctors also explore a patient's childhood to hunt for evidence of psychological damage. Sadly, a quick Google search would reveal Gupta isn't the only one. There are almost ten doctors enlisted on Lybrate's first-page search, who 'specializes in treatment of homosexuality'.
