A Calgary doctor is facing new sexual assault charges

A Calgary family doctor has been charged with sexual assault – the fourth time he has been accused of the same offense since 2017.

On Wednesday the police announced that Dr. Ali Ayyaz Chatha, 34, faces one count of sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident in January 2023.

Court records show Chatha has been charged three times with sexual assault involving three different women, but she has never been convicted of that crime.

Defense attorney Jennifer Ruttan, who is representing Chatha, issued a brief statement Wednesday following a press release from the Calgary Police Service (CPS).

“I emphasize that he is presumed innocent of this charge and will diligently defend himself against this charge in court,” Ruttan said.

Guilty of assault

Chatha was first charged with sexually assaulting a woman on July 4, 2017, but the charges were stayed in November 2019.

He was again indicted and charged on March 15, 2019, but the charges were withdrawn two years later.

A third sexual assault charge was filed against Chatha stemming from an incident on January 9, 2020.

In this case, Chatha pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in June 2021 and received a conditional discharge and a one-year suspended sentence. The sexual assault charge was withdrawn.

A conditional discharge means that there is a guilty verdict but no conviction is recorded.

In the latest case, Chatha is accused of meeting a woman at the Cowboys Dance Hall near Stampede Park on January 14, 2023.

Woman is taken to the hotel room

According to police, the two did not know each other before that night.

Shortly after the meeting, Chatha and the woman took a taxi to a nearby hotel where he rented a room, according to police.

Investigators there suspected that the woman was sexually abused.

The alleged victim left the hotel and reported the incident to the police.

According to CPS, the investigation included interviews with witnesses and the collection and processing of DNA evidence.

“This type of crime can be extremely personal and sensitive, and I would like to thank the victim for coming forward to police and reporting this incident to us,” said Staff Sergeant. Tom Hanson of the Sexual Assault Investigation Unit.

No disciplinary history

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) has been contacted for comment.

Chatha is listed on the CPSA website as an active member with no conditions on his license to practice.

Its website states: “CPSA is unable to disclose information on matters that may be under investigation and cannot speak publicly about a complaint unless it has gone through a formal hearing.”

According to the CPSA website, Chatha has no disciplinary history.

He is scheduled to appear in court for the first time on May 28.