From trust to turmoil: Indian-Origin doctor’s scandal shakes Canadian medical circles

Dr. Suman Khulbe, an Indian-origin physician in Canada, has had her medical license revoked after a disciplinary tribunal found her guilty of sexual abuse and professional misconduct. The Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal concluded after a 15-day public hearing that Khulbe had a sexual relationship with a male patient, with further evidence of unprofessional closeness—including business ventures and affectionate declarations—with two other patients. The case has made headlines in both Canada and India, sparking widespread discussion about professional ethics among clinicians of Indian origin abroad.

Court documents and reports reveal Khulbe’s close, sometimes intimate, ties with individuals from her gym who later became patients. The complainant, a gym trainer, alleged that his interactions with Khulbe evolved from vitamin therapy and physical recovery to deeply inappropriate sexual involvement. He also claimed she performed sexual acts while he was under the influence of the anesthetic procaine, which she administered at social gatherings in her clinic. These gatherings reportedly involved alcohol and regular use of procaine, blurring professional boundaries. Khulbe, who practiced as a family physician since 2001 before moving into holistic executive care in 2018, has denied any predatory intent and maintains the relationships were personal—not abusive.

Khulbe testified that, raised in a traditional Indian household, she acknowledged a relationship with the gym trainer but insisted it was consensual and not exploitative. She called her vitamin injections “procaine” because the name rhymed with “cocaine,” downplaying the connotation. The disciplinary tribunal, however, highlighted that Canada enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against any doctor-patient sexual contact, echoing international standards.

After losing her license, Khulbe released a statement contesting the tribunal’s findings and the hearing process, saying vital facts were omitted and labeling the case a “witch hunt.” She is preparing an appeal, describing significant financial and personal strain. So far, there is no sign of an official Indian government reaction or substantial public outrage in India over this case; the coverage remains factual and mostly centered on the details and legal implications for medical professionals abroad.