Ontario, Canada: Dr. Suman Khulbe, a physician of Indian origin practicing in Canada, has had her medical licence revoked after admitting to misconduct involving several patients. She confessed to having a sexual relationship with one male patient and acknowledged unprofessional interactions with two others, to whom she expressed romantic feelings.
A disciplinary panel investigating her case stated that Dr. Khulbe failed to maintain professional boundaries, noting that she did not treat patients as patients but rather as friends, business associates, and part of her personal life. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward any form of sexual activity between doctors and patients, even if it appears consensual. The tribunal’s decision highlighted that Khulbe developed a sexual relationship with one patient while also forming close personal and business ties with others.
According to a report by the National Post, Dr. Khulbe has decided to appeal the ruling. In her statement, she argued that several facts were ignored during the proceedings and expressed frustration over the financial and emotional burden the hearing had placed on her and her family.
Allegations of parties, alcohol, and procaine
The tribunal also heard that Dr. Khulbe organized social gatherings for her patients inside her clinic, where alcohol was served, and procaine — a local anesthetic — was administered. Procaine is commonly used in anesthesia and nerve block procedures.
Trainer’s testimony of inappropriate therapy
Dr. Khulbe began her medical career in 2001 and later set up a private clinic at her home in Kanata, Ottawa. In 2015, she joined a local gym, where one of the trainers eventually filed a complaint against her. He stated that what began as vitamin therapy soon turned into physical therapy sessions. According to his testimony, Dr. Khulbe performed sexual acts on him, including oral sex and intimate touching, often while he was under the influence of procaine.
The trainer further claimed that Dr. Khulbe would hold breathing exercises with her hands on his genitals. Court documents suggest that the two also discussed starting a sports nutrition business together. Meanwhile, other patients reported that Khulbe had given them procaine and confessed feelings of love toward them.
Khulbe, however, dismissed the allegations as a “witch hunt” and described them as an extortion attempt. She admitted to having a close personal relationship with the trainer but insisted his testimony had been misused against her.
Her defense
While addressing the tribunal, Dr. Khulbe said she was raised in a traditional Indian household and maintained that her relationship with the trainer was consensual. She admitted to having sexual relations with him but insisted they were part of a genuine relationship. She also explained that she often referred to her vitamin injections as “procaine” because it rhymed with cocaine.
