Quebec doctor convicted of assault and counselling an offence

A Quebec court has found doctor Sanjeev Sirpal guilty of two assault charges and one count of counselling someone to commit an offence that was not carried out. The case was heard in Laval, where the judge said Sirpal urged his thengirlfriend to write a false diary entry aimed at discrediting a patient who had complained to the province's medical college. According to the ruling, Sirpal bought the notebook used for the fabricated account and reviewed a draft before it was written. The judge accepted the complainant's testimony as credible and said the story was invented. Sirpal was acquitted of obstruction of justice because the false document was never used and was seen only by him. The court also concluded that Sirpal assaulted his exgirlfriend twice in 2020, including one incident at his home and another while she was driving him to work. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15. The report also notes that Sirpal has faced professional discipline and criminal charges in other provinces.