New York: An Indian-origin pediatrician has been charged with sexually abusing girls, some as young as 11, and compiling notes on his computer on how to molest them, a media report has said.
53-year-old Rakesh Punn drugged his victims with sedatives and covered their eyes with gauze or a blindfold during the assaults, according to a 60-count indictment filed in a US court, the New York Post reported.
The New York-based doctor allegedly told the girls they were undergoing medically necessary examinations.
Punn, who also videotaped or photographed some of his naked victims, wrote about the girls on his computer, along with citations from the Kama Sutra, according to US investigators.
Punn, who was arrested in July 2010 on preliminary charges of videotaping patients, on Friday pleaded not guilty.
He faces jail term up to seven years if found guilty.
His previous bail of $ 3.5 million was raised to $ 10 million bond or $ 5 million cash on Friday. Punn's lawyer said his client cannot post bail because prosecutors have frozen his client's assets.
Prosecutors said that they fear he would flee since his wife is in India.
The charges against him include Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Unlawful Surveillance.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said that in 2005, Punn had footage of at least five young girls in his office.
She said that Punn would get them to lie naked on the examining table, blindfold them and videotape his sexual contact including touching their genitals.
Rice also said that in other instances a small digital camera would be hidden among objects on his desk and Punn would then have the girl expose her breasts in various positions while being taped.
The abuse began in 2007, according to investigators.
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