News Summary
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a New Jersey physician, faces charges of sexual exploitation and Medicaid fraud, accused of soliciting sexual favors for prescriptions. His practice is shut down, and he is under home arrest while under investigation for illegal drug distribution and healthcare fraud. The case has raised concerns over patient safety and ethical standards in the medical profession.
New Jersey Doctor Charged with Sexual Exploitation and Medicaid Fraud
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old doctor of Indian origin operating in New Jersey, has been charged with serious offenses including sexual exploitation of patients and Medicaid fraud. The allegations include soliciting sexual favors from patients in return for prescriptions, alongside accusations of billing the New Jersey Medicaid program for non-existent visits and counseling sessions.
As the legal case progresses, Kalra’s medical practice has been ordered to shut down, and he is currently under home arrest. He has been explicitly prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing any medication. The charges against him include three federal offenses related to illegal drug distribution and two pertaining to healthcare fraud.
Details of the Allegations
Former employees of Kalra have reported that numerous female patients expressed concern over inappropriate behavior, specifically instances of sexual touching and demands for sexual acts, including oral sex, as conditions for obtaining their prescriptions. One patient has come forward to accuse Kalra of multiple incidents of sexual assault, with allegations of forced anal sex occurring during clinical appointments.
Additionally, it has been revealed that another patient continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra even while she was incarcerated, indicating a disturbing pattern in his prescribing practices. Investigators claim that Kalra issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone between January 2019 and February 2025, with reports of him writing more than 50 prescriptions in a single day.
Legal Implications and Consequences
United States Attorney Alina Habba has criticized Kalra’s actions, emphasizing that he took advantage of vulnerable patients and contributed to the widespread opioid addiction crisis. Investigators discovered that Kalra’s medical records allegedly contained fabricated progress notes, with several patient files showing identical content that lacked essential medical details like vital signs.
If convicted, Kalra faces severe penalties. Each count of illegal drug distribution could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison, while each count of healthcare fraud could result in up to 10 years behind bars. Financial penalties are also part of the potential consequences, with fines potentially reaching $1 million for each drug-related charge and at least $250,000 for each fraud-related charge.
Call for Additional Victims to Come Forward
The FBI is actively seeking to assist any potential victims who may have received treatment from Kalra. Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy has urged individuals who believe they may have been affected by Kalra’s practices to come forward and contact the FBI for support.
Background Context
This case sheds light on critical issues surrounding medical malpractice and the exploitation of vulnerable populations within the healthcare system. Instances of healthcare fraud and sexual exploitation significantly undermine the trust patients place in medical professionals. The legal proceedings against Kalra may not only hold him accountable for the alleged crimes but also serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of safeguarding patient welfare in healthcare settings.
As developments unfold in the case of Dr. Ritesh Kalra, authorities remain focused on ensuring justice for the victims while reinforcing the need for ethical standards within medical practice.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Patient Exploitation in Newark
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 INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion 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 Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
