Pennsylvania doctor charged with exploiting patients at New Jersey clinic
A shocking case of alleged medical misconduct and abuse of power has surfaced in New Jersey, where Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician of Indian origin, faces serious federal charges. Kalra is charged by federal prosecutors for running a fraudulent medical practice at work that took advantage of vulnerable patients by exchanging opioid prescriptions for sexual favors and filling false Medicaid claims.
According to the federal investigators, Kalra converted his clinic into a “pill mill” prescribing strong opioids like oxycodone and cough syrup without a valid reason. Between 2019 and early 2025, Kalra wrote more than 31,000 opioid prescriptions, sometimes writing more than 50 prescriptions every day.
Several women have accused Kalra of forcing them into sexual acts in return for prescription drugs, and the accusations are becoming more serious. One woman claimed she was forced into non-consensual sex during what was meant to be a normal session.
The complaint also charges Kalra with healthcare fraud. Investigators say he billed Medicaid for consultations and procedures that never took place.
In many cases, Kalra reportedly reused medical notes across different patient files, faking records of examinations, treatments, and counseling sessions. This billing scam potentially robbed Medicaid of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money.
Following his arrest, Kalra appeared before a federal judge and was released under home detention on a $100,000 bond. He is prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing drugs pending the case outcome.
The charges include:
Three counts of unlawful opioid distribution
Two counts of healthcare fraud
If convicted, Kalra could face up to 20 years in prison for each drug-related count and 10 years for each fraud count, along with significant fines.
Federal authorities described Kalra’s actions as a gross betrayal of both his patients and public trust. The U.S. Attorney leading the case emphasized that exploiting patients and defrauding public healthcare programs would face strict legal action.
Agencies including the FBI, DEA, and Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General are jointly investigating the case.
