Forrest City Doctor Sentenced to Six Years for Sexually Assaulting Patients

FORREST CITY, Ark. — A Forrest City doctor was sentenced to six years in prison this week for sexually assaulting patients, a press release from Arkansas State Police said.

On Monday, September 29, 2025, Dr. Sudesh Banaji, 61, of Forrest City, was found guilty of six counts of Second-Degree Sexual Assault in St. Francis County Circuit Court. The conviction and sentencing were connected to multiple incidents of sexual assault involving female patients.

Banaji was sentenced to six years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and ordered to pay $90,000 in fines.

The investigation began in August 2023 when the First Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office asked the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with patients during examinations at Banaji’s medical clinic in Forrest City.

Following the investigation, ASP CID Special Agents arrested Banaji on August 26, 2024.

Arkansas State Police Special Agent Kristopher McCrea wrote the probable cause affidavit. It states that in August 2023, two doctors contacted the police. They told authorities that previous patients had described what they believed were instances of sexual assault during exams.

By August 23, police said multiple women from various backgrounds and ages reported being violated.

One of the victims said she had been a patient for three years. She recounted an incident in 2022 in which he behaved inappropriately during an examination, according to court documents.

“She described feeling uncomfortable and violated as Dr. Banaji examined her breasts, made inappropriate comments about her body, and conducted an uncomfortable vaginal examination,” the affidavit said.

Banaji reportedly performed the vaginal examination without consent. He placed forceps inside her and left the room for several minutes, which she said was extremely painful. No one else was present during the exam.

ASP agents spoke to a second victim, who explained she had been seeking medical care from Dr. Banaji for about five years due to his proximity to her workplace. She said during one incident, Banaji insisted on a breast exam and a pap smear, to which she declined, stating she had a separate doctor for that purpose. Banaji proceeded to touch her breasts over her clothing as the two were alone in the exam room. The incident made her uncomfortable enough that on a subsequent visit, she insisted on the door being left open and having a family member on FaceTime during the appointment. She discontinued seeking care from Dr. Banaji after that.

As agents continued to interview victims, they learned of similar stories.

A third victim said she had been a patient of Banaji’s for around four years but became concerned about his “inappropriate physical examinations.” The doctor checked areas of her body unrelated to her medical condition, the affidavit said, including her breasts. She tried to switch to another doctor but had to see Banaji again for prescription refills. She said during that visit, he inappropriately checked her breasts and made inappropriate comments.

A fourth victim described similar breast examinations that were made without proper explanation.

All of the victims contacted police on their own, the affidavit said.

Authorities executed a search warrant on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Internal Medicine of Forrest City, Banaji’s office.

Investigators continued to interview witnesses, including employees of the clinic. A care coordinator for Banaji recounted instances where patients reported inappropriate behavior that included unwanted touching during medical examinations.

A second employee, who worked as an insurance coordinator, described an instance where he hugged her, grabbed her breast, and grabbed her buttocks. She described being shocked. Banaji at first denied it and said she was just sensitive. After gaslighting her didn’t work, he stated he was sorry, that it would not happen again, and that he was ashamed and embarrassed, the affidavit said. She provided text messages to police showing Banaji begging her to return to work and stating it would not happen again.

Banaji is being sued in civil court for his actions as well. The plaintiff, a female, filed the intentional tort case under 62CV-25-175-1. The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff suffered emotional distress and damage as a result of being sexually assaulted.

The complaint seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, and any other appropriate relief. A court date has not yet been set.