Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud and Sexual Exploitation

News Summary

Ritesh Kalra, a doctor in New Jersey, faces multiple charges including medical fraud, sexual exploitation, and illegal opioid distribution. Allegations include demanding sexual favors for prescriptions and fabricating medical records. With his medical license suspended and under home arrest, Kalra could face substantial prison time and fines if convicted. The FBI is investigating his practices as the community grapples with the implications of these serious charges against a healthcare professional.

Secaucus, New Jersey – Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old doctor of Indian origin, has been charged with multiple counts of medical fraud, sexual exploitation, and unlawful distribution of opioids, including oxycodone, without valid medical justification. Following a recent court hearing, Kalra has been placed under home arrest as investigations continue into his medical practice and the serious allegations against him.

The charges against Kalra highlight various illicit activities, including reportedly demanding sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions, along with billing for appointments that did not take place. This alleged fraud has resulted in significant financial losses to New Jersey’s Medicaid program. As a consequence of these ongoing investigations, Kalra’s medical license has been suspended, effectively barring him from practicing medicine or prescribing any medications, and he is required to cease operation of his medical practice during the pending legal proceedings.

Multiple allegations of sexual harassment have also surfaced, involving not just patients but also former employees. These complaints detail instances of sexual touching and demands for sexual acts in return for opioid prescriptions. In one case, a patient reported alarming experiences of sexual assault, stating that coercion occurred during clinical appointments, including claims of forced acts of anal sex.

Further complicating these allegations, one patient continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra even while incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility, despite having no legitimate medical contact with him during that time. A forensic examination of Kalra’s prescribing history revealed he issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone between January 2019 and February 2025, exacerbating concerns of widespread addiction and misuse of opioids in the community.

The gravity of Kalra’s case is underscored by remarks from U.S. attorney Alina Habba, who stated that he exploited his medical position to take advantage of vulnerable patients, fuelling drug addiction while defrauding state resources. In addition to the sexual misconduct and fraudulent billing practices, Kalra is accused of fabricating medical progress notes to justify billing for non-existent appointments, further intensifying the legal ramifications he faces.

If convicted, Kalra could face serious legal consequences, including up to 20 years in prison for each count of illegal drug distribution and up to 10 years for each count of healthcare fraud. Financial penalties could also be substantial, with fines reaching up to $1 million for each drug-related charge and at least $250,000 for each fraud charge.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into Kalra’s practices, and those who believe they may have been victimized by him are encouraged to come forward and provide information to aid in the ongoing inquiry. As this case unfolds, the community remains alert to the implications of the alleged actions of a medical professional that has raised serious concerns about patient safety and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers.

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Additional Resources

• NDTV
• Wikipedia: Opioid epidemic
• Hindustan Times
• Google Search: Ritesh Kalra medical fraud
• Hudson County View
• Google Scholar: Ritesh Kalra case
• Times of India
• Encyclopedia Britannica: medical fraud
• LiveMint
• Google News: sexual assault in medical practice