Latest news with #Kalra
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
31,000 fake prescriptions: Indian-origin doctor in New Jersey charged for trading drugs for sex
A New Jersey-based physician of Indian origin has been charged with distributing prescription drugs without legitimate medical need and allegedly exchanging them for sexual favors, federal authorities said. Dr. Ritesh Kalra, 51, of Secaucus, is accused of running what prosecutors describe as a "pill mill" from his Fair Lawn medical office. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey, Kalra routinely issued high-dose prescriptions for opioids such as oxycodone, along with promethazine with codeine, both drugs commonly misused for their narcotic effects. '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 New Jersey's public healthcare program,' said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in the press release. Prosecutors allege that between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra wrote more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, with some days seeing more than 50 prescriptions issued. In addition, he is accused of billing public healthcare programs for fake in-person visits and counseling sessions that never occurred. Kalra appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Newark on Thursday and was released on home incarceration with an unsecured bond of $100,000. As a condition of his release, he is barred from operating his medical practice while the case is ongoing. (With inputs from PTI)
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First Post
2 days ago
- Health
- First Post
Indian-origin doctor in New Jersey charged with offering drug for sex
An Indian origin doctor in New Jersey has been charged with distributing drugs without a legitimate medical purpose to his patients in exchange for sexual favours, according to a press release issued by the US Attorney's Office. read more An Indian-origin physician in New Jersey has been charged with unlawfully prescribing drugs to patients in return for sexual favours, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Ritesh Kalra, 51, a resident of Secaucus, allegedly ran a 'pill mill' out of his medical practice, regularly dispensing high doses of opioids such as oxycodone and promethazine with codeine without valid medical reasons, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey said on Friday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Physicians have a serious responsibility—but as alleged, Dr Kalra abused that trust by fuelling addiction, exploiting vulnerable patients for sex, and defrauding New Jersey's public health insurance programme,' said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in the statement. Kalra, who practised internal medicine in Fair Lawn, is accused of issuing over 31,000 oxycodone prescriptions between January 2019 and February 2025, including some days where he wrote more than 50 prescriptions. Authorities also allege that Kalra submitted fraudulent claims for in-person consultations and counselling sessions that never took place. He appeared in federal court in Newark on Thursday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on home confinement and a $100,000 unsecured bond. He has been ordered to close his medical practice while legal proceedings are ongoing. Kalra's lawyer, Michael Baldassar, denied the allegations and criticised the government's statement, telling the New York Daily News that it read 'like a supermarket tabloid.' With inputs from agencies
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Indian-Origin Doctor Charged With Offering Drugs For Sexual Favours In US
An Indian-origin doctor in New Jersey has been charged with distributing drugs without a legitimate medical purpose to his patients in exchange of sexual favours, according to a press release issued by the US Attorney's Office. Ritesh Kalra, 51, of Secaucus, allegedly operated a "pill mill out of his medical office, where he routinely prescribed high-dose opioids-including oxycodone-and promethazine with codeine to patients," said the press release issued by the US Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, on Friday. "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 New Jersey's public healthcare programme, " US Attorney Alina Habba said in the release. Kalra is accused of issuing more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, including days when he wrote upwards of 50 prescriptions between January 2019 and February 2025. Kalra, an internist in Fair Lawn, also allegedly billed for false in-person visits and counselling sessions, the release said. He made his initial appearance on Thursday before a US Magistrate Judge in Newark federal court. He was released on home incarceration and an unsecured bond of USD 1,000,00, it added. Kalra is required to shut down his medical practice while the case is pending. His attorney, Michael Baldassar, denied the accusations and said that the government press release reads like a supermarket tabloid, the New York Daily News reported on Saturday.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Indian-origin doctor charged with offering drugs for sexual favours in US
An Indian-origin doctor in New Jersey has been charged with distributing drugs without a legitimate medical purpose to his patients in exchange for sexual favours, according to a press release issued by the US Attorney's Office. Ritesh Kalra, 51, of Secaucus, allegedly operated a 'pill mill' out of his medical office, where he routinely prescribed high-dose opioids—including oxycodone—and promethazine with codeine to patients, said the press release issued by the US Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, on Friday. '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 New Jersey's public healthcare programme,' US Attorney Alina Habba said in the release. Kalra is accused of issuing more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, including on days when he wrote upwards of 50 prescriptions, between January 2019 and February 2025. Kalra, an internist in Fair Lawn, also allegedly billed for false in-person visits and counselling sessions, the release said. He made his initial appearance on Thursday before a US Magistrate Judge in Newark federal court. He was released on home incarceration and an unsecured bond of USD 100,000, it added. Kalra is required to shut down his medical practice while the case is pending. His attorney, Michael Baldassare, denied the accusations and said the government press release 'reads like a supermarket tabloid,' The New York Daily News reported on Saturday.
Mint
3 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Indian-origin doctor in US allegedly offered drugs in exchange for sex
An Indian-origin doctor based in New Jersey, Dr. Ritesh Kalra, 51, is facing serious accusations of soliciting sexual favours from patients in exchange for prescriptions and defrauding New Jersey Medicaid. These allegations have led to his immediate prohibition from practising medicine and prescribing medication, with his medical practice required to shut down while the case is pending. Dr. Kalra is currently under home arrest. According to the US Attorney's office, several of Kalra's former employees reported that female patients complained of sexual touching and demands for sexual favours, including oral sex, to obtain prescriptions. One patient even described being sexually assaulted on multiple occasions, including forced anal sex, during clinical appointments. Further accusations include Dr. Kalra continuing to provide opioid prescriptions to a patient who was incarcerated and had no contact with him. He is also alleged to have billed for in-person visits and counselling sessions that never occurred, the US Attorney's office further reported. US Attorney Alina Habba strongly condemned Kalra's alleged actions, stating, '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 New Jersey's public healthcare program.' She emphasised that by exchanging prescriptions for sexual favours and billing Medicaid for "ghost appointments," he not only violated the law but also endangered lives. Habba concluded by asserting that their office will "continue to pursue those who turn their medical licenses into tools for personal gain and sexual gratification." "When we seek medical advice and treatment from doctors, we have to assume they have our best interests in mind. This investigation, conducted by the FBI and our partners, illustrates that Dr. Kalra had little regard for actually taking care of his patients. As alleged, he instead used them for his sexual gratification and, in the process, defrauded the state of New Jersey. A patient's relationship and trust in a physician, while at their most vulnerable, is not something to be exploited for personal gain. We are asking anyone who may be a victim or knows someone who was treated by Dr. Kalra to get in touch with our office," stated Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. If found guilty, Kalra could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of illegal drug distribution and up to 10 years for each count of healthcare fraud. The penalties also include fines of up to $1 million for each drug-related charge and at least $250,000 for each fraud-related charge.
