New Jersey: 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, seeking sexual favours from female patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions, and defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by creating ghost bills, according to NDTV.
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.
Kalra 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.
Sexually Abused Female Patients
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.
Prescriptions Issued to Incarcerated Patient
A patient continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra while incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility, despite having no contact with him.
Fraudulent Billing for Non-Existent Visits
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.
