News Summary
Ritesh Kalra, a doctor in Secaucus, New Jersey, faces serious charges including medical fraud, sexual misconduct, and illegal opioid distribution. Allegations detail a years-long pattern of misconduct involving thousands of prescriptions for opioids, sexual exploitation of patients, and fraudulent billing practices. His medical license has been suspended, and he is under house arrest while investigations continue, potentially facing significant prison time and fines if convicted.
Secaucus, New Jersey — Indian-Origin Doctor Ritesh Kalra Facing Serious Criminal Charges
Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old doctor residing in Secaucus, New Jersey, has been formally charged with multiple crimes related to medical fraud, sexual misconduct, and illegal distribution of opioids. The allegations detail a pattern of unlawful activities spanning several years, leading to significant legal action and ongoing investigations.
Key Charges and Legal Actions
The federal and state authorities involved in the case have accused Kalra of engaging in illegal practices that include the distribution of controlled substances without medical justification, specifically oxycodone and other opioids. Court records reveal that Kalra issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone between January 2019 and February 2025, a period of approximately six years.
Among the more serious allegations are accusations that Kalra demanded sexual favors from patients in exchange for prescriptions, a form of misconduct that has reportedly involved multiple victims. Former employees and patients have reported incidents of sexual harassment, including sexual touching and demands for oral sex, with some patients alleging that they were sexually assaulted on multiple occasions. One patient described being forcibly subjected to anal sex during clinical appointments, further emphasizing the severity of the accusations.
Financial and Medical Fraud
In addition to allegations of sexual exploitation, Kalra is accused of committing healthcare fraud, including billing for appointments that never occurred. The purpose of this fraudulent billing was to defraud New Jersey’s Medicaid program and other insurers, resulting in significant financial losses. Court findings indicate that Kalra fabricated progress notes, creating false electronic records of consultations that never took place, and billing for “ghost” appointments that were never conducted.
Following a recent court hearing, Kalra has been placed under house arrest and his medical license has been suspended. He faces prohibitions on practicing medicine or prescribing medications while his case remains unresolved. Authorities have also ordered him to shut down his medical practice during this period.
Investigation and Potential Penalties
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies have launched comprehensive investigations into Kalra’s activities. They are encouraging victims or those with relevant information to come forward as part of ongoing efforts to establish the full extent of his misconduct.
If convicted of the charges, Kalra faces substantial penalties under federal and state laws. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of illegal drug distribution and up to 10 years for each count of healthcare fraud. Fines could reach up to $1 million per drug-related charge and at least $250,000 for each health care fraud count.
Summary of Allegations and Broader Context
The case against Ritesh Kalra exposes serious concerns about medical misconduct, opioid abuse, and exploitation. The allegations reveal that Kalra exploited his medical authority to fuel addiction among vulnerable patients, while also engaging in financial fraud that placed an additional burden on public resources. His actions have prompted alarm within the local community and among health care authorities, highlighting ongoing issues related to the regulation and oversight of medical practitioners.
As investigations continue, authorities remain focused on ensuring justice for victims and preventing similar misconduct in the future. Healthcare providers and patients alike are reminded of the importance of safeguarding ethical standards and reporting suspicious activity.
More updates are expected as legal proceedings develop and further details emerge regarding the scope of Kalra’s misconduct and the number of victims involved.
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Additional Resources
- NDTV
- Wikipedia: Opioid epidemic
- Hindustan Times
- Google Search: Ritesh Kalra medical fraud
- Hudson County View
- Google Scholar: Ritesh Kalra case
- Times of India
- Encyclopedia Britannica: medical fraud
- LiveMint
- Google News: sexual assault in medical practice
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
