State College psychiatrist charged in alleged sexual assault of patient, police say
A downtown State College psychiatrist was jailed after borough police accused him Thursday of sexually assaulting a patient.
A man told officers that Ashok Bharucha, 53, disrobed and inappropriately touched him during an appointment earlier this month at 119 S. Burrowes St., police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause filed Monday.
The man, who did not consent to any alleged physical contact, also showed officers text messages he received from Bharucha. One message invited the man to Bharucha’s hotel room and asked him to be naked when he arrived, police wrote.
A defense lawyer for Bharucha was not listed on a court document.
Bharucha, who lives in Union County, was charged with one felony count of sexual assault and two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.
He was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker. Bharucha was denied bail and is detained at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 12:24 PM.