Seeking sexual favours to defrauding New Jersey Medicaid: Probe report on how an Indian-origin doctor in US acted with impunity

Former employees have reported that female patients complained of Kalra touching them sexually and requesting sexual favours, including oral sex, in exchange for prescriptions.

An Indian-origin doctor in New Jersey, Ritesh Kalra, has been charged with multiple counts of medical fraud, including distributing opioids without a legitimate medical reason, defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by creating ghost bills and seeking sexual favours from female patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions

The 51-year-old is currently under home arrest and prohibited from practising medicine or prescribing medication. He must shut down his medical practice while the case is pending.

Former employees have reported that female patients complained of Kalra touching them sexually and requesting sexual favours, including oral sex, in exchange for prescriptions. One patient alleged she was forced for anal sex during clinical appointments.

Kalra is also accused of billing for in-person visits and counselling sessions that never took place and defrauded New Jersey's public healthcare program. He also reportedly ran a pill mill from his medical office, where he regularly prescribed high-dose opioids, including oxycodone, and promethazine with codeine, to patients without a legitimate medical purpose. Between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra wrote over 31,000 prescriptions of oxycodone.

US Attorney Alina Habba announced, "Physicians hold a position of profound responsibility-but as alleged, Dr. Kalra used that position to fuel addiction, exploit vulnerable patients for sex, and defraud New Jersey's public healthcare program." She added that by exchanging prescriptions for sexual favors and billing Medicaid for ghost appointments, he not only violated the law but also endangered lives.

Prosecutors claim Kalra used his medical license not for healing, but to prey on vulnerable patients struggling with addiction. Court documents allege that between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued over 31,000 oxycodone prescriptions, with some days seeing more than 50 scripts written.

“Physicians hold a position of profound responsibility—but as alleged, Dr Kalra used that position to fuel addiction, exploit vulnerable patients for sex, and defraud New Jersey’s public healthcare program,” said attorney Alina Habba. "Our Office will continue to pursue those who turn their medical licenses into tools for personal gain and sexual gratification", she announced.

Kalra reportedly made his initial appearance in federal court before US magistrate judge André M Espinosa and was released on home arrest with an unsecured $100,000 bond. He has been barred from practicing medicine or prescribing medications, and must shut down his medical clinic while legal proceedings continue.

If convicted, Kalra faces 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. Fines could reach up to $1 million per drug charge, and $250,000 or more per fraud charge.