Doctors charged in sex assault get bail

Two Ontario doctors charged with drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in a downtown Toronto hotel say they will "vigorously" defend themselves against the charges.

The twomen emerged fromToronto's Old City Hallcourthouseand spoke to reporters for the first time late Wednesday afternoon.

"As you can appreciate we are most definitely shocked by these allegations and we fully intend on defending [ourselves] very vigorously through the court process against the allegations that are made against us," Suganthan Kayilasanathan said.

"Despite everything that has happened to me over the past few days I still have faith in our justice system," said AmitabhChauhan.

Chauhan, 32, of Ancaster, Ont., and Kayilasanathan, 32, of Markham, Ont., were arrestedlast Friday.

The two made brief court appearances on Saturday morning but were ordered held in custody until Wednesday when they were released on $100,000 bail each.

Under the terms of their release, both are allowed to practise medicine but cannot prescribe drugs.

A publication ban has been placed on the proceedings.

Police said the complainant, 23,knew one of the doctors and met him and his friend in the bar of a hotel in the area of Queen Street West and University Avenue on Sunday, Feb. 13.

Investigators said the three then moved to another bar in the area of Wellington Street West and Spadina Avenue. They believe that's where the woman was given an unknown substance that made her lapse in and out of consciousness.

Police said the woman was then taken back to the hotel where she had originally met the men and was sexually assaulted by the pair.

Both men are charged with administering a noxious substance and gang sexual assault.

Police said a second woman has come forward with allegations against Chauhan.

Investigators have issued an appeal for anyone with information about the men to contact Toronto police.