Accused of operating a “pill mill,” writing over 31,000 opioid prescriptions
New York: A 51-year-old Indian-origin doctor based in Secaucus, New Jersey, has been charged with illegally distributing controlled substances, including high-dose opioids, and allegedly exchanging prescriptions for sexual favors, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
The doctor, Dr. Ritesh Kalra, allegedly ran a “pill mill” operation out of his medical office in Fair Lawn, routinely prescribing oxycodone and promethazine with codeine without legitimate medical need, in violation of federal narcotics laws.
Accusations: Drug Abuse, Sexual Exploitation, and Healthcare Fraud
US Attorney Alina Habba stated in the release:
“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.”
Between January 2019 and February 2025, Dr. Kalra is alleged to have issued more than 31,000 oxycodone prescriptions, with records showing up to 50 prescriptions written in a single day. Additionally, he is accused of billing false in-person visits and counselling sessions that never occurred.
Court Appearance and Bond Conditions
Dr. Kalra made his initial appearance before a US Magistrate Judge in Newark federal court on Thursday. He has been released under home incarceration on an unsecured bond of USD 100,000, and has been ordered to shut down his medical practice while the case is ongoing.
Defense Denies Allegations
Kalra’s attorney, Michael Baldassare, rejected the charges, telling New York Daily News that the government’s press release “reads like a supermarket tabloid.”
Background of Similar Cases
This incident adds to a growing list of cases involving Indian-origin physicians in the U.S. accused of healthcare-related crimes. Recently, a Pennsylvania-based doctor was convicted in a $2.3 million healthcare fraud scheme, which included the illegal distribution of oxycodone through pre-signed prescriptions used by interns.
