A Boston doctor, Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, has been found not guilty on a charge of lewd acts near a 14-year-old girl on an airplane after a three-day trial in federal court in Boston. The verdict was delivered by a judge in a bench trial, rather than a jury trial.
During the trial, Mohanty's lawyers presented testimonies from more than a dozen passengers and flight attendants who were situated near Mohanty. They all stated that they did not witness anything consistent with the accusation while on the flight. This, coupled with Mohanty's staunch denial of the allegations, played a significant role in his acquittal.
In a written statement, Mohanty expressed how difficult the accusation and trial had been for him and his family. He vehemently denied the crime, stating, 'My fiancé was sitting next to me on that flight, and neither of us can understand why this happened to us. I have dedicated my life to caring for others as a physician, and it has been heartbreaking to step away while I dealt with these false accusations.'
The incident in question allegedly occurred during a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Boston in May 2022. Mohanty, accompanied by a female companion, was seated next to a 14-year-old girl who was traveling with her grandparents. According to investigators, the minor claimed that she noticed Mohanty covering himself with a blanket up to his neck and observed his leg bouncing. Later, the minor informed authorities that the blanket had fallen to the floor, revealing Mohanty masturbating. She then moved to an empty seat in a different row and informed her family members after the flight had landed.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy expressed disappointment in the outcome but respected the judge's decision. He emphasized the importance of supporting and believing victims, especially children. Levy stated, 'Our office has no reservations about having proceeded with this case. Our office will remain steadfast in supporting victims, particularly minor children. It is critical that victims know they can come forward, and they will be heard and be fully supported by our office.'
Mohanty's defense lawyer, Claudia Lagos, highlighted the devastating impact the accusations had on her client. She reiterated Mohanty's innocence and shared his relief that the trial was finally over, allowing him to rebuild his life. Lagos stated, 'Dr. Mohanty is a talented and dedicated medical doctor. He has absolutely no history of wrongdoing whatsoever. The last six months have been a bizarre nightmare for him, and he is relieved this is finally over so that he can rebuild his life.'
If convicted, Mohanty could have faced up to 90 days in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,000. However, with his acquittal, he is now free from these potential penalties.
Previously employed as a doctor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mohanty is no longer practicing at the hospital, as confirmed by the institution last year.
While the trial may be over, the aftermath of such accusations can still leave a lasting impact on all parties involved. Mohanty's acquittal highlights the complexities of exploring allegations, the importance of a fair trial, and the necessity of supporting victims who muster the courage to come forward.
