News Summary
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a New Jersey-based Indian-origin physician, faces serious charges including sexual exploitation of patients and Medicaid fraud. Allegations include soliciting sexual favors in exchange for prescriptions and billing for non-existent medical visits. Reports of misconduct have raised concerns over patient safety and healthcare ethics. Kalra’s medical practice has been shut down as investigations continue, and he now faces multiple federal charges that could result in significant prison time and financial penalties.
Newark, New Jersey – Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old Indian-origin doctor based in New Jersey, has been charged with serious allegations of sexual exploitation and Medicaid fraud. The accusations state that Kalra solicited sexual favors from patients in exchange for prescriptions, a practice that not only exploits vulnerable individuals but also breaches medical ethics and legal regulations.
In addition to the sexual misconduct allegations, Kalra is accused of defrauding New Jersey’s Medicaid system by billing for medical visits and counseling sessions that did not take place. Due to the severity of the charges, Kalra’s medical practice has been ordered to shut down while the investigation is ongoing. He is currently under home arrest and faces restrictions that prevent him from practicing medicine or prescribing any medication.
Investigative reports reveal that multiple former employees reported complaints from female patients about sexual touching and demands for sexual favors, which allegedly included requests for oral sex to obtain necessary prescriptions. In one shocking case, a patient has claimed that Kalra sexually assaulted her multiple times during clinical appointments, including instances of forced anal sex.
Another patient revealed that she continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra while she was incarcerated, despite having no contact with him during that period. Kalra has been linked to the issuance of over 31,000 oxycodone prescriptions between January 2019 and February 2025, raising serious concerns about the management of controlled substances, with reports indicating that he wrote more than 50 prescriptions in a single day on certain occasions.
Kalra now faces five federal charges: three counts of illegal drug distribution and two counts of healthcare fraud. If found guilty, he could incur significant penalties, including a maximum prison sentence of 20 years for each count of illegal drug distribution and up to 10 years for each healthcare fraud count. Additionally, financial penalties could soar to $1 million for each drug-related charge and at least $250,000 for each fraud-related charge.
The U.S. Attorney’s office has condemned Kalra’s actions, emphasizing that he took advantage of vulnerable patients while furthering the opioid addiction crisis in the community. Investigative findings have revealed troubling evidence in his medical records, showing allegedly fabricated progress notes and similar content across patient files that lacked critical details such as recorded vital signs.
FBI Special Agent in Charge has encouraged anyone who may have been victimized or knows others who sought treatment from Kalra to reach out to their office. The implications of this case are profound, as it raises significant questions about patient safety and the integrity of healthcare practices within the region.
The ongoing investigation serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by medical professionals. As the case proceeds, the legal consequences for Kalra could signal a broader initiative to combat healthcare fraud and ensure the protection of patients against exploitation.
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HERE Resources
Indian-origin Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Fraud
Additional Resources
- NDTV
- Wikipedia: Sexual Exploitation of Patients
- LiveMint
- Google Search: Ritesh Kalra
- Hindustan Times
- Google Scholar: Medical Fraud
- Times of India
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Healthcare Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
