A Sydney doctor at the centre of a high-profile legal case has been fully cleared of all criminal allegations, with the court formally dismissing every charge laid against him.
Dr Faisal Qidwai, a general practitioner based in Rhodes, was the subject of sensational headlines last year after being charged with a series of offences—allegations that have now been entirely thrown out by the courts. The original article—widely circulated but now discredited—can only be described as a vexatious and frivolous piece of reporting, relying on untested claims that were ultimately withdrawn and never upheld in court.
The final decision, handed down at NSW Burwood Local Court on November 15, 2024, confirms that no conviction was recorded, no findings of guilt were made, and that the doctor remains legally and professionally exonerated.
Case Collapses as Police Withdraw Key Allegations
In a decisive legal outcome, prosecutors withdrew the most serious allegations before the matter proceeded to a full hearing. The remaining charges were dismissed by the local Court.
Statements originally attributed to Dr Qidwai—including graphic, violent and sensationalised threats—were never tested in court and were not part of the final proceedings.
Their removal from the case, sources say, indicates they were not considered credible or admissible, raising questions about why such inflammatory material was ever published to begin with.
Doctor’s Reputation Tarnished by Early Reporting
The early coverage of the case included claims that painted a disturbing picture of the Rhodes GP. Some of these statements included graphic threats and alleged references to underworld connections. While they were never substantiated, they received widespread attention in the press and on social media.
None of those quotes made it to court. None were accepted as evidence. And none contributed to the legal outcome.
Despite this, the coverage remains easily searchable online, casting a long shadow over a man who has now been cleared by the justice system.
Call for Media Accountability
Dr Qidwai’s legal team has made formal requests for correction and the removal of outdated articles still available online—submissions that, at the time of writing, have not been acted upon.
“If the charges have been dropped and the man has been cleared, the public deserves to know that,” one legal observer told this outlet. “Continuing to circulate uncorrected information after a person has been exonerated is not only unfair—it may be unlawful.”
Early reporting of the matter included graphic and deeply disturbing quotes attributed to Dr Qidwai. These included violent threats and references to criminal associations—language that was both alarming and highly inflammatory. It is crucial for readers to understand: these quotes were never tested in court, and police did not pursue them in the final proceedings. By the time of the court hearing, the most extreme and reputationally damaging allegations had been dropped altogether. In legal terms, their absence from the case speaks volumes.
They were not deemed credible enough to pursue, nor were they supported by sufficient evidence. Their publication in the media, however, caused significant and ongoing damage to Dr Qidwai’s mental health, livelihood, and personal safety. This situation is not just about one man’s reputation—it is about the importance of media accountability and the need for platforms to ensure that truth is given as much space and visibility as accusations.
Dr Faisal’s Qidwai’s legal team has formally requested removal the false article and issue a correction. So far, the request has not been met. His lawyers have made it clear that further legal and regulatory complaints will follow if the false reporting continues to be available online. This case highlights the dangers of trial by media, and why platforms must be held accountable when they fail to update or remove false and misleading stories.
Sources close to the matter say that further legal and regulatory steps may be taken if outdated and inaccurate articles are not removed or amended to reflect the court’s findings.
A Career of Service, Not Scandal
Prior to the allegations, Dr Qidwai had built a longstanding and respected medical career, serving patients in the inner west with professionalism and care.
Those who know him say the ordeal has taken a heavy toll on his name and career. They are now calling on media outlets to reflect the outcome fairly and stop amplifying claims that never held up in court.
KEY FACTS
- All charges against Dr Faisal Qidwai were formally dismissed on November 15, 2024.
- The most serious allegations were withdrawn before the final hearing.
- No conviction was recorded.
- Graphic claims made in early reporting were not tested or accepted in court.
- Legal proceedings concluded in less than a year, with Dr Qidwai fully exonerated.
A Justice System Outcome That Deserves Equal Coverage
Dr Qidwai’s case serves as a stark reminder of the impact early reporting can have—especially when it includes details that don’t survive the scrutiny of a courtroom.
With the charges dropped and the matter resolved, calls are growing for the media to update the public record, restore fairness, and allow those who have been cleared to move on without stigma or suspicion.
“The system worked. The story should reflect that.”