Daijiworld Media Network - New Jersey
New Jersey, Jul 20: In a serious case that has sent shockwaves across the Indian diaspora in the United States, Ritesh Kalra (51), an Indian-origin doctor practicing in New Jersey, has been charged with illegally distributing controlled substances in exchange for sexual favours.
According to a press release issued by the US Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, Dr Kalra allegedly ran a "pill mill" out of his Fair Lawn medical office, where he routinely prescribed high-dose opioids like oxycodone, and promethazine with codeine, without any legitimate medical justification.
The federal authorities claim that Kalra exploited his position of medical trust to fuel addiction, manipulate vulnerable patients for sexual acts, and further defrauded New Jersey’s public healthcare programme. "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 the healthcare system," said US Attorney Alina Habba in a strong-worded statement.
Investigations reveal that between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra wrote over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, with some days reportedly seeing more than 50 prescriptions issued. Additionally, he is accused of falsely billing for in-person consultations and counselling sessions that never occurred.
The internist made his initial court appearance on Thursday before a US Magistrate Judge in Newark. He was granted home incarceration and released on an unsecured bond of USD 1,00,000. As part of the bail conditions, Kalra has been ordered to suspend his medical practice until the case reaches a conclusion.
In response to the allegations, Kalra’s attorney Michael Baldassar dismissed the charges as exaggerated, stating that the government’s version "reads like a supermarket tabloid," as reported by the New York Daily News.
The case continues to unfold and is being closely watched by both legal experts and the Indian-American community.