State places psychiatrist Mandeep Behniwal on probation following criminal conviction for assault relative to sexual incident with patient

March 3, 2011

On June 7, 2010, the California Medical Board placed psychiatrist Mandeep Behniwal on probation for seven years with terms and conditions. 

According to the Board’s document, Behniwal was sentenced in Sacramento County Superior Court to three years informal probation following his no contest plea to a criminal charge of assault. 

The Board’s document reveals that on October 30, 2006, Behniwal had provided medication management to a patient whom he had been treating for one year and that, before she could exit his office, he “proceeded to put his hand down [the patient’s] blouse and under her bra.  He then firmly gripped her breast. [Behniwal] pulled [the patient’s] breast out of her bra and blouse and sucked on it.  [The patient] observed that [Behniwal’s] penis was out of his fly and exposed.  [Behniwal] put his hand down [the patient’s] pants and inserted his finger into her vagina.  He ejaculated on his hand and the hand of [the patient]. He told [the patient] she was beautiful and that he was attracted to her.” 

The patient reported this incident to law enforcement.  An evidentiary examination showed positive for DNA fluid on the patient’s ring finger. 

Source: Decision in the Matter of the Accusation Against Mandeep Behniwal, M.D., Physician and Surgeon Certificate No. A 79753, File No. 02-2006-179736, California Medical Board.