The masala salesman-turned-orthopaedic surgeon, Hemant Sonawane alias Hemant Patil, was so sexually addicted that he preyed on female staff of the hospitals where he worked as a consultant, a social worker has alleged. He always waited for female nurses, doctors and housekeeping staff near the washroom of a civic-run hospital in Bhayandar where he was officially appointed by the municipal corporation, said the woman who has registered an FIR regarding molestation against him.

Sonawane, she said, would always watch some videos on his cellphone while waiting near the washroom for women to step out. “He would try to lure females to accompany him on long drives, he would also go and sit in the cabin of female doctors and nurses for no reason. He would also purposely massage the backs and lower backs of women at hospitals. And when I told all this to two senior civic officials, they told me, ‘there is a dearth of doctors in the pandemic. If we sack him now, will you get us another a doctor?’ I was shocked,” said the complainant.