Doctor who thought homosexuality is ‘genetic mental disorder’ used to do this with patient

Delhi: NP NEWS 24 ONLINE: A doctor, who termed homosexuality as ‘genetic mental disorder’ used electric shocks to treat gay and lesbian people have been summoned by Delhi court as an accused of violating norms.

Even though Dr P K Gupta was debarred by the Delhi Medical Council (DMC), he was still indulging in this bizarre practice.

The court took note of the complaint by DMC, which stated that the doctor used hormonal and shock therapy as a part of treatment. The complaint also mentioned that DMC had expelled the doctor in 2016 for as he was still projecting himself as a doctor, he was liable for prosecution in Delhi.

The treatment given by doctors as a part of “conversion therapy” was not recognised either by medical science or by the legislature. Conversion therapy is an attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation using psychological or spiritual interventions.

The court summoned the doctor as accused saying he was prima face found to be contravening a provision of the Indian Medical Council Act which involves a maximum one-year jail term.

Metropolitan magistrate Abhilash Malhotra said, “It is amply clear that the legislature in its prudence and vision did not think sexual orientation to be part of mental illness. Accordingly, it is clear that the treatment given by the doctors as a part of ‘conversion therapy’ is not recognised either by the medicine or by the legislation.”

Previously, executive director of Naz Foundation Trust, Anjali Gopalan had informed the council in 2015 regarding some doctors advocated for ‘conversion therapy’ claiming to convert “homosexuals into heterosexuals”.