• Source:JND
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An Indian-origin physician, Ritesh Kalra, has been indicted in the United States for operating an illicit "pill mill" scheme, dispensing potent opioids without legitimate medical reason, and soliciting sex favours from patients in return for prescriptions.

Who Is Ritesh Kalra?

Kalra, a 51-year-old internist in Secaucus, New Jersey, has been ordered to home detention after coming before US Magistrate Judge André M Espinosa. Five serious federal charges now hang over him, three of which are illegal distribution of drugs and two for healthcare fraud. Kalra did it all from his Fair Lawn clinic, the US Attorney's Office said, issuing over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone between February of 2019 and February of 2025. Prosecutors say he wrote on some days over 50 prescriptions without any legitimate medical reason. "Doctors occupy a position of deep trust, but as charged, Dr Kalra used that trust to feed addiction, sexually exploit vulnerable patients, and defraud New Jersey's public healthcare program," US attorney Alina Habba said in a statement.

Sexual Favours in Exchange for Opioid Prescriptions

The investigation has uncovered alarming charges of sexual abuse. Several female patients allege that Kalra coerced oral sex and other sexual favors in return for writing prescriptions for opioids. One patient said she was compelled to engage in anal sex on clinic visits. “When we seek medical treatment, we trust our doctors to act in our best interest. Kalra exploited this trust for his own sexual gratification and financial gain,” FBI Special Agent Stefanie Roddy said.

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Authorities also discovered that Kalra kept writing scripts for an inmate already in custody at Essex County Correctional Facility, with whom he had no medical contact. Kalra has been debarred from practicing medicine and from prescribing any drugs during legal proceedings. His clinic has been directed to shut down, and his license to practice medicine has been suspended. In addition to the opioid distribution charges, Kalra is accused of billing New Jersey Medicaid for appointments that never took place. Prosecutors allege that his electronic medical records contained falsified progress notes with identical content and missing vital signs for multiple patients.

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If found guilty, Kalra can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years' imprisonment per charge of illegal distribution of drugs and a maximum of 10 years per charge of healthcare fraud. He can also be fined a maximum of USD 1 million per drug-related offense and USD 250,000 or more per fraud offense. The case is closely observed with increased concerns about abuse of opioids and exploitation of patients who are fighting addiction.