Calgary doctor charged in alleged sexual assault of woman he met at Cowboys

Police have charged a Calgary doctor in connection with an alleged sexual assault that happened in a hotel room earlier this year.

Investigators say on Saturday, Jan. 14, a woman was at Cowboys Dance Hall on 12 Ave SE, where she met a man previously unknown to her.

Police say a short time later, the man took the victim to a nearby hotel in a taxi, where he allegedly rented a room and sexually assaulted her.

The woman left the hotel and later reported the incident to police.

Ali Ayyaz Chatha is now facing one count of sexual assault. The 34-year-old is expected to appear in court on May 28.

Chatha works as a family physician at a clinic in Bridgeland. The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) says his practice permit remains active.

“When CPSA becomes aware of criminal charges against a physician, we will open a complaint and subsequent investigation to gather information and determine next steps,” reads a statement from a CPSA spokesperson.

“This could include practice conditions on a physician’s permit, or the physician’s withdrawal or suspension from practice, depending on the seriousness of the allegations and the risk to patient safety.”

In light of this incident, Calgary police are reminding the public that sexual contact with a person is never acceptable without clear, voluntary, and specific consent.

There is no statute of limitations on sexual assault offences in Canada, and anyone who believes they are a victim of sexual assault is encouraged to report it, even if many years have passed since the incident.

“We investigate all sexual offences that are reported to us and take several investigative steps to speak to witnesses, collect and process evidence, including DNA analysis, prior to laying charges,” Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson of the Calgary Police Service Sexual Assault Investigative Unit said in a statement. “These types of crimes can be extremely personal and sensitive, and I want to thank the victim for coming forward to police and reporting this incident to us.”

Anyone with information about this incident or similar incidents is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234 or tipping anonymously through CrimeStoppers.