News Release — December 7, 2006

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December 7, 2006

Medical Board of California Obtains
Suspension of Granite Bay Physician's Medical License

SACRAMENTO—In response to a petition filed by the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of the Medical Board of California, Administrative Law Judge Jonathan Lew issued an order on December 5, 2006, suspending the medical license of Mandeep Behniwal, M.D. of Granite Bay. The order was based on a finding that among other things, permitting Behniwal to continue to engage in the practice of medicine would endanger the public's health, safety and welfare. Medical Board Executive Director Dave Thornton stated, "The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers. We work diligently to achieve our mission by vigorously enforcing the Medical Practice Act."

On November 17, 2006, Behniwal was charged by the Sacramento County District Attorney with violations of Penal Code section 243.4(a) (sexual battery) and section 289(a)(1) (forcible act of sexual penetration), both of which are serious felonies within the meaning of Penal Code section 1192.7(c), if convicted requiring the offender to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code section 290. Behniwal was also charged with violation of Business and Professions Code section 729(a) (sexual exploitation by physician).

Behniwal is enjoined from the practice of medicine pending the outcome of a December 21, 2006 hearing at the Office of Administrative Hearings in Sacramento.

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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.

If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.

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