Verdict on Indian-origin doctor delayed

The verdict on an Indian-orgin former surgeon, accused of causing grievous bodily harm, got further delayed Friday as the jury in an Australian court failed to reach a consensus.

Jurors in the Brisbane District Court began deliberating Thursday and Friday afternoon told judge Terry Martin that they had reached a stalemate of opinion on an unspecified issue in the case involving Jayant Patel, ABC News reported.

Patel, 63, who worked in the Bundaberg Base Hospital in the Australian state of Queensland, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Ian Rodney Vowles, 66, by unnecessarily removing his colon and rectum in 2004.

However, the former surgeon has pleaded not guilty in the court.

Prosecutors told the court that the surgery was unnecessary and he gave no option to the patient.

Defence lawyers argued that Patel gave Vowles a cancer-free future and offered him treatment options.

Judge Martin told the jury that it was up to the crown prosecutors to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt and the jury must consider evidences without any bias.

The jury will again deliberate on the case Monday.

The Jamnagar, Gujarat-born Patel had a controversial tenure in the hospital from 2003 to early 2005, during which over 80 deaths were linked to him and 30 patients died in his care.

After that, he left for Portland, Oregon, in the US.

He was, however, extradited to Australia in 2008 to face trial.