Indian-origin Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Fraud

News Summary

Ritesh Kalra, a doctor from Newark, New Jersey, has been charged with serious offenses including opioid distribution, medical fraud, and sexual exploitation of patients. Kalra is accused of running a ‘pill mill’ where he unlawfully prescribed thousands of oxycodone medications without medical justification. Allegations against him also include inappropriate conduct with female patients and creating fraudulent medical records. Facing multiple federal charges, Kalra has been placed under home arrest, highlighting the need for oversight in the medical profession to protect vulnerable patients.

Newark, New Jersey – Indian-origin doctor Ritesh Kalra, 51, has been charged with serious offenses including opioid distribution, medical fraud, and sexual exploitation of patients, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s office. Kalra is accused of operating a “pill mill” out of his medical practice where he allegedly distributed opioids, such as oxycodone, without a legitimate medical purpose.

According to the indictment, between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone. On some days, he reportedly wrote more than 50 prescriptions. The allegations against Kalra extend beyond improper drug distribution; former employees at his clinic claimed that female patients often complained of being inappropriately touched by him. Furthermore, Kalra is alleged to have solicited sexual favors from female patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions, including demands for oral sex.

Among the most alarming accusations is that of sexual assault by a patient, who claims that Kalra forced her into sexual acts during clinical medical appointments. Kalra also purportedly continued to prescribe opioids to a patient who was incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility, raising serious concerns about the integrity of his medical practices.

In addition to the drug distribution allegations, Kalra is charged with defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for consultations and counseling sessions that did not occur. Investigations revealed that he created fabricated progress notes with identical content for different patients and failed to record vital signs, thereby violating medical standards and ethics.

US Attorney Alina Habba emphasized the critical responsibilities held by physicians in the community and condemned Kalra for his actions that fuel addiction and sexual exploitation while defrauding the state’s healthcare system. The charges against Kalra consist of five federal counts: three for illegal drug distribution and two for health care fraud. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of drug distribution and up to 10 years for each fraud charge. Financial penalties could be as high as $1 million per drug charge and $250,000 or more per fraud charge.

As a consequence of these serious allegations, Kalra has been placed under home arrest and is prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing medications. He must also close his medical practice while the legal proceedings unfold. The case sheds light on the alarming misuse of medical licenses for personal gain and sexual gratification, provoking discussions about the integrity of health care professionals.

This case serves as a stark reminder to the public about the potential for abuse within the medical profession and the critical need for robust oversight mechanisms to protect patients from individuals who may exploit their positions of trust. The ongoing legal proceedings will further examine these disturbing allegations against Kalra, ensuring accountability in the face of such profound breaches of conduct.

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Additional Resources

• NDTV
• Hindustan Times
• Times of India
• Moneycontrol
• Wikipedia: Medical Fraud