27 ex-patients of indicted doctor from Secaucus file suit alleging years of sexual abuse
27 former patients of an indicted doctor from Secaucus who had his medical license suspended by the state one year ago have filed a lawsuit alleging years of sexual abuse.
By John Heinis - 19/08/2026 - Hudson County View - [USA] Image via Hudson County View & victimscivilattorneys.com
The 13-count suit, filed in Bergen County Superior Court on Monday, alleges that Dr. Ritesh Kalra engaged in a long-term pattern of sexual abuse, exploitation, and misconduct during medical appointments.
He was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in July 2025 for prescribing opioids in exchange for sexual favors, as well as defrauding Medicaid, the state suspended his medical license in August, before facing a 58-count federal indictment in January, all as HCV first reported.
“This lawsuit describes an appalling abuse of the trust and authority patients place in their physician,” Nathaniel Foote, a partner at Pennsylvania-based Andreozzi + Foote who is counsel for the 27 anonymous plaintiffs, said in a statement today.
“Dr. Kalra allegedly sexually exploited patients who depended on him for medical care and, in some cases, used his access to their prescription medication as a means of coercion and retaliation. These survivors deserve accountability and justice, and we are committed to pursuing both on their behalf.”
In the lawsuit, Kalra is accused of exposing himself, coercing patients into sexual acts, and engaging in unwanted sexual touching under the guise of medical examinations.
Several plaintiffs allege Kalra used his control over their prescription medications to facilitate the abuse, including by threatening to reduce or revoke prescriptions and, in some cases, actually reducing or withholding medication when patients resisted his sexual advances.
One woman further alleges Kalra threatened to kill her if she disclosed his abuse.
The complaint also alleges that members of Kalra’s staff were aware of inappropriate conduct but failed to intervene or report him to law enforcement or the medical board, only enabling his predatory behavior toward patients to continue.
“During the relevant time, Kalra operated many offices throughout Bergen and Hudson County, including but not limited to Fair Lawn, Jersey City, and Secaucus. To the detriment of the many of his patients, including Plaintiffs in this lawsuit, Kalra operated a ‘pill mill’ out of his medical offices,” the court filing contends.
“Kalra routinely prescribed high-dose opioids – including oxycodone – and promethazine with codeine to patients without a legitimate medical purpose while also demanding sexual favors in exchange for their prescriptions. The nature of Kalra’s inappropriate behaviors with patients was not unknown to his staff, including his receptionists, nurses, and medical assistants.”
The suit further states that Kalra and his medical practice were sued by a former employee in February 2018, who alleged he “touched her buttocks, reached into her underwear, and put his genitals close to her face.”
Counsel for the plaintiff also allege corporate negligence, negligence, vicarious liability, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and battery, medical malpractice, invasion of privacy, and violations of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination.
As a whole, the lawsuit claims that Kalra’s conduct went far beyond the bounds of decency and would be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society, and that he intentionally targeted the patients at a time when they were vulnerable.
“On one instance in 2023, Plaintiff G.S. went to Kalra with an upper respiratory and sinus infection. While checking her breathing, Kalra touched her breasts and told her she had a beautiful chest Upon her rejection, Kalra told her, ‘This is how you get your medicine.’ After this incident, Kalra repeatedly touched her breasts and brushed himself up
against Plaintiff G.S.’s buttocks, making Plaintiff G.S. feel uncomfortable,” the suit states.
“Kalra had inappropriate and unprofessional conversations with Plaintiff G.S., including frequently discussing sex, Plaintiff G.S’s sexual preferences, and the frequency at which her and her husband had sex. On another occasion, Plaintiff G.S. had to go to the hospital, and Kalra said, “Oh, are you going there for them to touch you weird too?”
The plaintiffs allege that Kalra’s conduct caused severe and ongoing emotional distress, including humiliation, anxiety, fear, depression, loss of trust in medical providers and loss of enjoyment of life.
According to the court filing, they have required, and will continue to require, psychological care, counseling and treatment, and as a result, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages and have demanded a jury trial.
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Dignity4Patients Commentary: The suspension of a professional licence can be an important patient-protection measure when serious concerns have been identified. While suspension can have significant consequences for a practitioner, temporarily preventing them from practising can help prevent further potential harm while allegations are investigated. It also reinforces that professional standards are enforceable and that patient safety must remain a central priority for regulators.
