Doctor showed ‘frightening disregard for the law’

A former Cavan surgeon showed a “frightening disregard for the law” when racking up almost a dozen convictions including two jail terms for road traffic offences over several years, including driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, and driving without motor insurance.

Dr Syed Bukhari has 14 days in which to respond to the Medical Council’s Fitness to Practice Committee over findings made last Monday, August 25, in relation to serious allegations as to his professional conduct, criminal behaviour, and breaches of sworn High Court undertakings.

The remote online hearing convened to deliver findings on three central allegations, with a fourth heard privately.

The findings were the outcome of a three-day Fitness to Practice hearing that took place between July 29-31.

Inquiry’s chairperson Mary O’Sullivan outlined that allegation one concerns a series of road traffic offences committed by Dr Bukhari between 2018 and 2022, including driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence of drugs (cannabis), driving without insurance, and driving while disqualified.

The committee ruled on Monday that this amounted to disgraceful and dishonourable conduct, regardless of the convictions, due to the serious risks posed to the public and the breach of professional expectations.

Allegation two focused on Dr Bukhari’s breach of an undertaking given to the High Court to comply with legal obligations. This followed his conviction in May 2022 for driving while disqualified and without insurance. Again the committee concluded that this was dishonorable conduct, particularly in light of the solemn nature of the promise made.

Lastly, the third allegation involved a second breach of a High Court undertaking, this time to co-operate with the Medical Council’s Health Committee, including engagement with medical treatment, counselling, and any other prescribed regimes such as Narcotics Anonymous.

Once again the committee found Dr Bukari’s behaviour profoundly dishonourable, especially since compliance was a condition for him to continue practising during the proceedings.

The fourth allegation, details for which were heard in private, were “not proven as fact” said Prof O’Sullivan when the hearing reconvened in public “for reasons set out in private”.

All other allegations were found proven beyond reasonable doubt, with each meeting the threshold for professional misconduct.

It was presented that sanctions, with an emphasis on proportionality, are designed not to punish but to protect the public, uphold the integrity of the profession, and maintain public confidence in medical regulation.

Dr Bukhari was not present for Monday’s hearing, despite prior notice. Representing himself, he did not respond to any inter-party correspondence.

Dr Bukhari did not attend the end of July hearing either, having allegedly left for Pakistan in 2023 just before his appeal against two five-month prison sentences imposed at Cavan District Court were struck out and the convictions imposed upheld by a Circuit Court judge.

In a 2021 affidavit provided to the committee, Dr Bukhari acknowledged his substance abuse issues, but denied ever treating patients while impaired.

He also claimed his misconduct was connected to the breakdown of his marriage.

Along with showing a “frightening disregard for the law”, Dr Bukhari’s professional behaviour was considered in the summations to be “dangerous, antisocial, and reckless”, not to mention being seen as “fundamentally incompatible” with the standards expected of medical practitioners generally.

The Medical Council CEO’s position is that the gravity of the misconduct by Dr Bukhari warrants sanctions at the upper end of the scale, with suspension or cancellation of registration among the possibilities. The measures are warranted, the committee concluded, given the alleged pattern of misconduct, lack of insight, and serious reputational harm caused to the profession by Dr Bukhari’s behaviour.

The committee opted to retire for two weeks to consider its position, while also allowing the Pakistani national time to respond or engage with the hearing process further.