Indian-origin doctor in Scotland jailed for sexual assault
London(PTI): An Indian-origin doctor was on Wednesday sentenced to four years of imprisonment by a Scottish court after being found guilty by jurors of serious sexual assault against a woman over three years ago.
Manesh Gill, 39, was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh last month and sentenced at the same court for what Scottish police described as horrific behaviour this week. The court heard how the married general practitioner (GP) posed as "Mike" on the online dating app Tinder and arranged to meet the victim at a hotel in Stirling, where the assault took place in December 2018.
The conviction and sentencing of Gill sends a clear message to anyone found guilty of sexual offences, you will be brought to justice, said Detective Inspector Forbes Wilson of the Public Protection Unit of Police Scotland.
Gill must now face the consequences for his horrific behaviour. The victim has shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and telling her story and I would like to thank her for her assistance during our investigation. I hope today's outcome will give her some form of closure, Wilson said.
"We remain committed to tackling sexual abuse, we have specially trained officers and work with partners to provide support to victims. I would encourage anyone to report sexual abuse in any form, as all reports will be thoroughly investigated, he added.
During evidence at the trial earlier this year, the woman said to be a student nurse described how her body "shut down" as she was sexually assaulted.
Gill, a father of three based in Edinburgh, had claimed the sex was consensual. The jury convicted him for committing a sex crime when the victim was incapable of giving or withholding consent. He has also been added to the Sex Offenders' Register for monitoring his conduct.
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K'taka Minister demands international status for Hubballi, Belagavi airports after Madurai move
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the Centre declaring Madurai airport as an international airport while not extending a similar status to Hubballi and Belagavi airports in Karnataka, calling the move "discriminatory and unacceptable".
The minister said the central government may have taken this decision keeping the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections in mind.
However, its indifferent attitude towards Karnataka’s demand is questionable, he added.
"The Narendra Modi-led central government has declared Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an international airport but has not taken a similar decision regarding Hubballi and Belagavi airports in Karnataka. This reflects a discriminatory approach and is not acceptable. How can it be butter for them and lime for us?” he questioned in a statement.
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The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal to declare Madurai airport as an international airport.
Madurai is a prominent city in Tamil Nadu, and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the decision was taken keeping in view the aspirations of the people of that city.
Patil recalled that a letter had been written on June 24, 2025, to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, requesting that Hubballi and Belagavi airports be upgraded to international status, as this would greatly benefit the North Karnataka region.
"In this context, Union Minister and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi, Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar, and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai should raise their voices and stand firmly for the interests of the State," he urged.
The minister stressed that at least one of the two airports — Hubballi or Belagavi — should be declared an international airport.
"If both are upgraded, it would be even more welcome. The central government must recognise the State’s requirement," Patil added.
