London, Aug 25 (IANS) An Indian-origin doctor, who was accused of using the hands of sedated patients to perform obscene acts on himself, has been cleared after he told a tribunal his trousers did not fit and a "kicking patient" caused them to fall.

Anaesthetist Narendra Sharma worked at the Marie Stopes International Clinic in Fallowfield, Manchester. The allegations were first reported to police by staff at the clinic in April 2008, says the Daily Mail.

Sharma was charged with three counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without their consent.

He denied all charges and was cleared by a jury after a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

The General Medical Council (GMC) hearing followed the criminal trial.

The GMC claimed Sharma took hold of patients' hands during abortion procedures, and exposed himself in the operating theatre.

But the tribunal chaired by Alan Montgomery ruled that seven specific allegations made against him could not be proved.

The 11-day hearing brought to an end a long-running legal battle on the part of Sharma, who told the GMC he could not find trousers to fit him.

Sharma told the hearing he had secured his trousers with medical tape because they did not fit but a kicking patient caused them to partially fall.

The panel was told that Sharma, who worked at the clinic as an anaesthetist, performed obscene acts on himself for his own "sexual stimulation and gratification".

A clinic worker said she saw Sharma take hold of a semi-conscious patient's hand during a procedure then move it beneath the operating table, where she then witnessed a "stroking movement".

Sharma was also accused of exposing himself during a procedure and putting the fingers of a second patient through the zip of his trousers.

The panel's findings mean that Sharma's fitness to practice medicine is not impaired.