Woodbridge Doctor Indicted On 11 Counts Of Inappropriately Touching Women Patients

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — A doctor who lives in the Colonia section of Woodbridge is now indicted on two counts of sex assault and 11 counts of criminal sexual contact with female patients, plus tampering with medical records.

Gurvindra Johal, 57, was previously accused in 2023 of inappropriately touching female patients under his care.

The first set of allegations came from two women who received treatment from Dr. Johal at a Perth Amboy urgent care center, Amboy Urgent Care located at 469 Cornell Street. One accused him of inappropriately touching her; the other said Dr. Johal forced sexual intercourse with her.

After the Middlesex County Prosecutor first announced the allegations, more women came forward with their own stories.

It is now a total of 10 alleged incidents: The investigation found additional victims who said they were either groped or sexually assaulted by Johal at an urgent care in Newark and a medical office in Freehold Township, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said Thursday.

"For a doctor to allegedly prey upon patients is something we will not tolerate," said Platkin.

Johal's license to practice medicine has been suspended in New Jersey since the first women came forward in 2023.

Johal is also charged with lying to a health insurer in response to the insurer investigating some of the inappropriate touching claims. He is also accused of altering medical records after the fact to indicate that a medical assistant was present in the room while he examined one of the women (no medical assistant was present, said prosecutors).

This week, Johal was indicted on two counts of second-degree sexual assault, 11 counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and one count each of falsifying or tampering with records and destruction, falsification, or alteration of records pertaining to medical care.

NJ Dept. of Criminal Justice director Theresa Hilton called Johal a "serial offender."

“Taking advantage of the doctor-patient relationship for sexual gratification, as is charged in this case, is completely unacceptable and will be met with the full force of our office," she said.

If found guilty, Johal is facing up to 10 years in prison. He is represented by Brooke Barnett, a defense lawyer in Newark.

“Dr. Johal vehemently denies these allegations and although this has impacted his life, his family and his unblemished reputation we look forward to our day in court,” his lawyer told NJ.com this week. “These cases arise out of pure opportunity and greed and when each of these alleged victims are scrutinized for their lack of credibility, justice will prevail. The cases lack any reliable physical or scientific evidence and is an absolute smear campaign riddled with anti-Sikh and Indian sentiment.”

First report: Perth Amboy Doctor Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Patients (Feb. 2023)

More Charges Filed Against Woodbridge Doctor Accused Of Sex Assault (March 2023)