Doctor Sudipta Mohanty, 33, of Massachusetts, has been arrested for “exposing himself and masturbating next to a 14-year-old girl” on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Boston
- Dr. Sudipta Mohanty appeared in court on charges of lewd, indecent and obscene acts against the 14-year-old
- The family physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston has been released on bail
- He faces a prison sentence of up to 90 days and a $5,000 fine if convicted
A Massachusetts doctor has been accused of exposing himself and masturbating in the seat next to a 14-year-old girl on a 10-hour flight from Honolulu to Boston.
Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, 33, who works at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, appeared in the city’s federal court Thursday on charges of lewd, indecent and obscene acts.
The court heard most of the passengers were asleep when the girl saw Mohanty’s leg “bounce up and down” under a blanket next to her midway through the Hawaiian Airlines flight last May.
The girl was traveling with her grandparents who were also sleeping across the aisle as Mohanty pulled back the blanket, exposed herself and came.
She felt “disgusted and very uncomfortable,” heard the court, and moved to another seat when Mohanty got up to clean herself in the restroom, but did not tell her family until after the plane landed in Boston.
Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, 33, works at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston
The Hawaiian Airlines flight takes about 10 hours to reach Boston from Honoulu
Mohanty, a GP at Boston Hospital, appeared “visibly nervous” when questioned by two FBI agents at his Cambridge home.
“His hands and voice were shaking,” officials reported.
Mohanty denied the allegation, telling officers, “I don’t remember.”
According to court documents, Mohanty traveled with a young woman who “held hands and hugged each other” earlier during the flight.
“They asked each other questions on a “basic level,” like, “What’s your favorite color?” which (the girl) found strange,” the affidavit states.
Mohanty was released on bail and ordered to stay away from people under the age of 18 and all places where they might gather.
He faces a prison sentence of up to 90 days and a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted.
First U.S. Assistant Attorney Joshua Levy (right) is leading the case against Mohanty (left) and has pledged to hold child molesters accountable
A Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center spokesman said Mohanty is “on leave.”
A Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center spokesperson told Boston.com that the hospital is aware of the allegations.
“This person is on leave and is not currently practicing at BIDMC. We are unable to comment further on personnel matters,” the hospital said in a statement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement: “Everyone, especially children, has the absolute right not to be subjected to lewd behavior while traveling.
“If you engage in the kind of illicit behavior alleged here, you will be caught and held accountable wherever it happens,” he added.