News Summary
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, an internist from New Jersey, faces serious charges including medical fraud, illegal opioid distribution, and sexual exploitation of patients. The allegations stem from his operation of a ‘pill mill’ in which he reportedly prescribed opioids without justification and demanded sexual favors from vulnerable patients. If convicted, he could face significant prison time and fines. Legal proceedings are ongoing as Kalra is placed under home arrest and barred from practicing medicine.
Secaucus, New Jersey – Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist, has been charged with medical fraud, illegal distribution of opioids, and sexual exploitation of patients. Following a federal court hearing, Kalra has been placed under home incarceration as he faces serious allegations regarding his practice in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
Dr. Kalra is accused of operating a “pill mill” out of his medical clinic, where he reportedly prescribed powerful opioids such as oxycodone without any medical justification. Prosecutors have charged him with five federal offenses: three counts of illegal drug distribution and two counts of health care fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s office has indicated that Kalra exploited vulnerable patients struggling with addiction instead of using his medical license responsibly.
Evidence reveals that between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, with some days seeing him write more than 50 prescriptions. Disturbingly, court documents state that Kalra demanded sexual favors, including oral sex, from female patients as a condition for receiving opioid prescriptions. One patient alleged that she was sexually assaulted multiple times, including through forced acts during clinical visits.
In addition to the sexual exploitation claims, Kalra continued prescribing medications to a patient who was incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility, despite having no legitimate medical contact. He is also accused of defrauding New Jersey Medicaid, billing for consultations that reportedly never occurred. Investigators found that Kalra’s electronic medical records contained fabricated progress notes with identical information across different patient files, lacking any recorded vital signs.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has emphasized that Kalra’s actions created a dangerous situation by endangering lives and exploiting patients who were seeking help. If convicted on all charges, Kalra faces significant penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for each count of illegal drug distribution and up to 10 years for each count of health care fraud. Additionally, fines could amount to $1 million per drug charge and at least $250,000 for each fraud charge.
Kalra made his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa. He has been released on home arrest with an unsecured bond set at $100,000. While legal action is underway, Kalra has been barred from practicing medicine or issuing any prescriptions and is required to close his medical clinic.
The investigation highlights a profound breach of trust, as patients who sought care for addiction were victimized for Kalra’s personal gratification and profited at the expense of the healthcare system. The FBI has urged anyone who may have been a victim or who knows someone treated by Dr. Kalra to come forward.
This case sheds light on the darker side of healthcare, where medical professionals can exploit their position of authority and trust, underlining the need for vigilant oversight within the medical community.
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Additional Resources
- Hudson County View
- Wikipedia: Opioid crisis
- WPG Talk Radio
- Google Search: medical fraud cases
- Hindustan Times
- Google Scholar: medical ethics
- New York Daily News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: ethics
- Daily Voice
- Google News: medical ethics violations
- RLS Media
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.
