Quick Answer: Former Michigan State University resident physician Dr. Arpit Saxena has been charged with sexually assaulting two female patients during medical appointments at an MSU Health Care facility. Saxena faces three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. MSU police are asking other patients treated by Saxena between July 1, 2024, and April 7, 2025, to come forward if they experienced concerning or inappropriate conduct.
Saxena was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 10, 2026, and is awaiting extradition to Michigan. He has not been convicted of the charges against him.
What Is the Arpit Saxena MSU Sexual Assault Case?
The Arpit Saxena sexual assault case involves allegations that the former Michigan State University resident physician sexually assaulted two female patients while providing medical treatment at an MSU Health Care facility in East Lansing.
Saxena, 39, worked as an osteopathic manipulative medicine resident at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine from July 2024 until April 2025. The first patient reported an alleged sexual assault immediately after an appointment on April 3, 2025. A second patient later reported that Saxena had sexually assaulted her during another medical appointment.
MSU removed Saxena from patient care on April 7, 2025, and later dismissed him from his position. The Ingham County Prosecutor's Office authorized four criminal sexual conduct charges against Saxena on September 3, 2026.
The investigation may extend beyond the two patients currently identified. Saxena treated 105 patients during his time as an MSU resident, according to information provided by an MSU spokesperson to the Detroit Free Press. MSU Health Care has begun contacting patients who received treatment from him, while university police have asked former patients to report any conduct that made them feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or concerned.
The criminal charges against Saxena are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Separately, patients who experienced sexual abuse or inappropriate sexual contact during medical treatment may have the right to pursue a civil claim against the person responsible and, depending on the circumstances, other parties that may share responsibility.
Who Is Dr. Arpit Saxena?
Dr. Arpit Saxena is a former resident physician at Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He joined MSU's osteopathic manipulative medicine residency program in July 2024 and treated patients through April 2025.
Osteopathic manipulative medicine can involve hands-on examination and treatment of a patient's muscles, joints, and other areas of the body. Like other forms of medical care that require physical contact, patients must be able to trust that examinations and treatments are medically appropriate and performed within professional boundaries.
According to MSU, a patient reported Saxena to university police immediately after an appointment on April 3, 2025. MSU removed him from patient care on April 7. He was subsequently dismissed from his residency program.
The investigation continued after Saxena left MSU. Police identified a second former patient who alleged that Saxena sexually assaulted her during treatment, and investigators eventually submitted the case to the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office.
Saxena was charged in September 2026 and arrested in Georgia on September 10. At the time the charges were announced, he was being held pending extradition to Michigan.
Timeline of the Arpit Saxena Sexual Assault Case
The allegations against Saxena involve medical appointments that occurred while he was an MSU resident, although the criminal charges were not filed until more than a year after the first patient contacted police.
Key events in the investigation include:
- July 2024: Saxena begins his osteopathic manipulative medicine residency at Michigan State University.
- April 3, 2025: A patient contacts MSU Police and Public Safety after an appointment with Saxena and reports that he sexually assaulted her during treatment.
- April 4, 2025: Saxena continues seeing patients. A second patient later alleges that Saxena sexually assaulted her during an appointment that day.
- April 7, 2025: MSU removes Saxena from patient care.
- May 2025: Police identify the second former patient, who reports the alleged April 4 sexual assault.
- August 28, 2026: MSU police submit their investigation to the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office for review.
- September 3, 2026: Prosecutors authorize three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct against Saxena.
- September 10, 2026: Saxena is arrested in Georgia.
- September 11, 2026: MSU Police publicly announce the charges and arrest and ask other former patients to come forward.
- September 2026: Saxena remains in custody in Georgia pending extradition to Michigan.
The investigation remains active, and MSU Police have said they believe there may be additional incidents that have not been reported.
What Are the Sexual Assault Allegations Against Dr. Saxena?
Two former MSU patients have accused Dr. Arpit Saxena of sexually assaulting them while he was providing medical treatment.
The first patient reported Saxena to MSU police on April 3, 2025, immediately after an appointment. According to investigators, she alleged that Saxena touched her sexually during what was supposed to be medical treatment.
During the investigation, police identified a second patient who had received treatment from Saxena. She subsequently reported another alleged sexual assault.
The allegations are particularly significant because the reported conduct occurred in a medical setting. Patients undergoing examinations and hands-on treatment may be placed in vulnerable positions and reasonably rely on medical professionals to maintain appropriate boundaries.
Sexual contact does not become permissible simply because it occurs during a medical appointment. When touching has no legitimate medical purpose or goes beyond the scope of a patient's consent, it may constitute sexual misconduct or abuse.
Saxena Continued Seeing Patients After the First Report
The timing of Michigan State University's response to the first sexual assault report could become an important issue in determining whether the university faces potential civil liability.
The first patient reported Saxena to MSU Police on April 3, 2025. According to the Detroit Free Press, MSU spokesperson Amber McCann confirmed that Saxena continued seeing patients the following day, April 4. MSU did not remove Saxena from patient care until April 7.
The timing is particularly significant because the second patient identified in the investigation has alleged that Saxena sexually assaulted her during an appointment on April 4, after the first patient's report had already been made.
These facts do not, by themselves, establish that MSU was legally negligent. Important questions remain about when university officials responsible for Saxena's clinical duties learned about the April 3 report, what information they had, what actions were taken, and why Saxena continued treating patients on April 4.
However, if a civil lawsuit is filed, attorneys may investigate whether MSU could or should have restricted Saxena's access to patients sooner. Relevant evidence could include internal communications, the university's response to the initial complaint, patient-safety procedures, reporting policies, Saxena's April 4 appointment records, and information showing which university officials knew about the allegations before the second patient's appointment.
The fact that a second alleged assault reportedly occurred after the first patient had already contacted MSU Police could therefore become an important part of any investigation into potential institutional liability.
What Criminal Charges Does Arpit Saxena Face?
Arpit Saxena faces four criminal sexual conduct charges in Michigan based on allegations involving two former patients.
On September 3, 2026, the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office authorized:
- Three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct
- One count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct
Third-degree criminal sexual conduct generally involves sexual penetration under circumstances prohibited by Michigan law, while fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct generally involves prohibited sexual contact.
The criminal prosecution is separate from any civil sexual abuse lawsuit that may be filed by a former patient. A criminal case determines whether Saxena committed a crime and can result in criminal penalties. A civil lawsuit instead allows an injured patient to seek compensation and potentially hold other responsible parties accountable.
Saxena has been charged but has not been convicted. He is presumed innocent of the criminal charges unless and until proven guilty.
Can Patients File an Arpit Saxena Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Patients who experienced sexual abuse or inappropriate sexual contact while being treated by Dr. Arpit Saxena may have grounds to pursue a civil lawsuit.
A potential lawsuit would not necessarily be limited to determining whether Saxena personally committed sexual misconduct. Attorneys representing a former patient may also investigate whether Michigan State University or another entity bears responsibility for failing to prevent the abuse or protect patients.
These are separate questions, and institutional liability depends heavily on what MSU knew, when it knew it, and how university officials responded.
Civil Claims Against Dr. Saxena
A patient who was sexually assaulted by a medical provider may be able to pursue civil claims directly against the provider responsible for the alleged misconduct.
Unlike the criminal prosecution, a survivor generally does not need to wait for a criminal conviction before discussing potential civil claims with an attorney. The criminal and civil legal systems operate separately and apply different legal standards.
The precise claims available will depend on the facts of each patient's experience and Michigan law.
Could Michigan State University Be Liable?
Michigan State University's potential liability requires a separate investigation into the university's own actions or failures.
An institution is not automatically liable simply because someone affiliated with it allegedly committed sexual abuse. Instead, attorneys typically investigate whether the institution's conduct contributed to the circumstances that allowed the abuse to occur or continue.
In the Saxena case, important questions may include:
- When did MSU first receive information suggesting that Saxena had engaged in inappropriate conduct?
- Who received that information?
- What did MSU do after receiving the April 3, 2025, report?
- Why did Saxena continue seeing patients on April 4?
- Who knew that Saxena remained in patient care after the first report?
- Were there earlier complaints, concerns, or warning signs involving Saxena?
- What policies applied when a patient accused a resident physician of sexual misconduct?
- Did MSU follow those policies?
- Were appropriate safeguards in place for patients receiving hands-on treatment?
The answers could be found in documents that are not currently available to the public, including internal communications, personnel records, patient-safety reports, complaints, investigation files, and university policies.
This is one reason a civil investigation can reveal information beyond what becomes public through a criminal prosecution.
Negligent Supervision or Retention
Depending on what additional evidence shows, former patients may also investigate whether there are grounds for negligent supervision or retention claims.
These claims generally focus on the institution rather than solely on the person accused of abuse. The central issue is whether an employer or institution knew or reasonably should have known about a risk and failed to respond appropriately.
The April 3 report, Saxena's continued patient care on April 4, and his April 7 removal make the timing of MSU's response particularly relevant. Public reporting indicates that the second alleged assault occurred during an April 4 appointment, after the first patient had already reported Saxena to MSU Police.
Those facts do not automatically establish negligence. Investigators would still need to determine what the relevant MSU officials knew, when they knew it, what steps were taken after the initial report, and whether reasonable measures could have prevented further patient contact.
Earlier records may be equally important. If evidence eventually shows that MSU received complaints or other warning signs before April 3, that information could materially change the potential liability analysis.
Is Sexual Abuse by a Doctor Medical Malpractice?
A sexual assault committed by a doctor is not necessarily medical malpractice simply because it happened during medical treatment.
Medical malpractice generally concerns negligent medical care that falls below the applicable professional standard of care. Intentional sexual misconduct can involve different civil claims because sexual abuse is not legitimate medical treatment.
However, medical negligence issues can sometimes exist alongside sexual abuse claims. For example, questions involving supervision, patient-safety procedures, or how a healthcare institution responded to reports of inappropriate conduct may require separate analysis.
Determining the appropriate legal claims matters because different causes of action can carry different procedural requirements and filing deadlines.
For that reason, someone who believes a doctor sexually abused them should not assume that their case is simply a traditional medical malpractice claim.
Were Other MSU Patients Treated by Dr. Saxena?
Dr. Arpit Saxena treated 105 patients while working as a resident physician at Michigan State University, according to information MSU provided to the Detroit Free Press.
The fact that someone received treatment from Saxena does not mean they were sexually abused or that anything improper occurred during their appointment. However, MSU Police have said they believe there may be additional unreported incidents and have encouraged former patients to come forward if they experienced conduct that made them feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or concerned.
MSU Health Care has also begun notifying former patients who were treated by Saxena.
This outreach may be particularly important for patients who questioned something that occurred during an appointment but initially assumed it was a legitimate part of their medical care. Patients place considerable trust in medical professionals, and someone receiving hands-on medical care may not immediately know whether particular touching was medically necessary or crossed a professional boundary.
What Should I Do If I Was Treated by Dr. Saxena?
If you were treated by Dr. Arpit Saxena and believe you experienced inappropriate touching or sexual misconduct, you can report your experience and speak with a sexual abuse attorney about your legal options. You do not need to determine for yourself whether the conduct amounted to a crime or whether you have a viable civil lawsuit before seeking help.
Former patients may want to:
- Write down what they remember. Record what happened during the appointment, what Saxena said, what type of treatment was performed, and anything that made you uncomfortable.
- Preserve medical records and communications. Appointment records, patient portal messages, billing records, emails, text messages, and other documents may help establish when and where treatment occurred.
- Avoid deleting potentially relevant information. Even information that seems insignificant now could become useful if an investigation or civil claim moves forward.
- Report concerns to investigators if you choose to do so. MSU Police and Public Safety has established a hotline at 844-996-7873 for patients who may have information concerning Saxena.
- Consider speaking with an attorney. A lawyer experienced in sexual abuse cases can evaluate what happened, explain potential civil claims, and determine whether additional parties may bear responsibility.
Reporting an experience to law enforcement and pursuing a civil lawsuit are separate decisions. A person can speak with a civil attorney about their options even if they have not filed a police report.
You May Not Have Recognized the Conduct as Abuse at the Time
It is not unusual for questions about a medical encounter to arise only later.
Medical professionals have specialized knowledge and authority, while patients may be partially undressed, in pain, undergoing unfamiliar procedures, or unsure why a particular type of touching is necessary. Those circumstances can make it difficult to immediately distinguish appropriate medical treatment from misconduct.
Learning that a physician has been accused by other patients can also cause someone to reconsider an earlier medical encounter that felt uncomfortable or unusual.
If that happens, you do not need to reach a legal conclusion on your own. An attorney can review the circumstances of the treatment, available medical records, and other evidence to determine whether further investigation is warranted.
Why Experience Matters in Doctor Sexual Abuse Cases
Sexual abuse cases involving physicians can raise issues that extend beyond the conduct of an individual doctor. Attorneys may need to examine medical records, employment and credentialing information, prior complaints, internal investigations, institutional policies, and evidence showing when a hospital or university learned about potential misconduct.
Dolman Law Group's sexual abuse attorneys investigate both the conduct of the alleged abuser and whether an institution may have failed to protect patients.
Attorney Matt Dolman has extensive experience representing survivors in complex civil litigation, including claims involving institutional responsibility. Sara Beller focuses her practice on representing survivors of sexual abuse and helping clients navigate the particular challenges involved in these cases.
Dolman Law Group now includes 16 attorneys with more than 200 years of combined legal experience. Matthew Dolman has been licensed for 22 years, has served as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits, and has helped recover more than $500 million for our clients.
That experience allows our attorneys to investigate not only what happened during an individual medical encounter, but also the records, policies, reporting procedures, and institutional decisions that may help explain how the alleged abuse was allowed to happen.
How Long Do I Have to File an Arpit Saxena Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
The deadline for filing a sexual abuse lawsuit involving a medical provider depends on the circumstances of the case and the laws that apply to the particular claims.
Potential deadlines can become especially complicated when a case involves a public university, healthcare provider, medical malpractice issues, or abuse that was not immediately recognized or reported.
For that reason, former patients should not assume that the criminal investigation or prosecution stops the deadline for bringing a civil claim.
Speaking with an attorney early can also help preserve evidence. Medical records, electronic communications, surveillance footage, internal reports, personnel records, and other evidence can become more difficult to obtain as time passes.
An attorney can determine which filing deadlines apply and whether any special notice or procedural requirements must be satisfied before a lawsuit is filed.
Learn More: Michigan Filing Deadlines (Statutes of Limitations) for Abuse Lawsuits
What Compensation Is Available in a Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
A patient who was sexually abused by a doctor may be able to recover compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the abuse.
The compensation available depends on the circumstances of the case, the harm the survivor experienced, and which individuals or institutions can legally be held responsible.
Potential damages may include compensation for:
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Counseling, therapy, and other mental health treatment
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income or reduced ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other financial losses related to the abuse
There is no standard settlement amount for sexual abuse by a physician. The potential value of a claim depends on factors such as the nature of the alleged misconduct, its effect on the survivor, the available evidence, and whether an institution or other party shares legal responsibility.
A civil lawsuit can also help uncover information about how alleged misconduct was handled. Depending on the case, the legal process may provide access to records concerning prior complaints, internal investigations, reporting procedures, supervision, and what an institution knew about potential risks to patients.
For survivors, this can provide answers about not only what happened to them, but whether there were opportunities to prevent the alleged abuse.
Speak With a Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawyer About the Arpit Saxena Investigation
Patients have the right to expect that medical professionals will respect their boundaries and provide treatment in a safe environment. When that trust is violated, survivors may have options through both the criminal and civil justice systems.
The allegations involving Dr. Arpit Saxena are still developing. He faces four criminal sexual conduct charges involving two former MSU patients, and investigators have asked other patients to come forward if they experienced concerning conduct while receiving treatment from him.
If you were treated by Saxena and believe something inappropriate happened during an appointment, you do not have to decide on your own whether the conduct was medically necessary, constituted sexual abuse, or gives you grounds for a lawsuit.
The sexual abuse attorneys at Dolman Law Group can confidentially review what happened, investigate potential claims, and explain your legal options.
Contact us for a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation to pursue a claim simply because you speak with an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arpit Saxena Sexual Assault Case
Can I sue MSU if I was treated by Dr. Arpit Saxena?
You may have grounds to sue if you were sexually abused by Dr. Arpit Saxena, but simply being one of his former patients does not automatically give you a claim against Michigan State University. An attorney would need to investigate what happened during your treatment and whether MSU knew or should have known about a risk to patients and failed to take reasonable steps to protect them.
Who is Arpit Saxena and what is he accused of?
Arpit Saxena is a former Michigan State University resident physician accused of sexually assaulting two female patients during medical appointments. He faces three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Saxena has been charged but has not been convicted of these offenses.
Do I need to file a police report to bring a civil lawsuit for doctor sexual abuse?
You generally do not need a criminal conviction before pursuing a civil sexual abuse claim, and the criminal and civil processes are separate. Whether a police report is required or advisable in a particular case depends on the circumstances, so a survivor can speak with a civil attorney about their options even if they have not reported the conduct to law enforcement.
What compensation can I recover in a doctor sexual abuse lawsuit?
A survivor of sexual abuse by a doctor may be able to seek compensation for emotional distress, therapy and medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other harm caused by the abuse. The damages available depend on the facts of the case, the injuries suffered, the parties legally responsible, and applicable state law.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit against Arpit Saxena or MSU?
The deadline for filing a lawsuit involving Dr. Arpit Saxena or Michigan State University depends on the specific claims and circumstances involved. Different deadlines or procedural requirements may apply to claims involving sexual abuse, medical care, or a public university, so former patients should consider speaking with an attorney as soon as possible rather than relying on a general statute of limitations.