News Summary
A new judge has been appointed to oversee the case of Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, an East Memphis physician facing numerous federal charges including healthcare fraud and sexual coercion. Chief U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman will handle the trial, which has attracted significant media attention. Dr. Kumar, a gynecologic oncologist, is accused of coercing patients and conducting unnecessary procedures. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, he continues to assert his innocence, and his clinic remains temporarily closed amid ongoing legal challenges. The case raises important questions about patient safety and ethical standards in healthcare.
Memphis – A new judge has been assigned to the case of Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, a physician from East Memphis facing serious federal charges including healthcare fraud and sexual coercion. Chief U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman will preside over this high-profile case, as announced by the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee on July 28, 2025. Dr. Kumar, a gynecologic oncologist, has been indicted on a total of 36 federal charges, expanding the concerns regarding his medical practices.
Among the most serious allegations are claims that Dr. Kumar coerced at least four women into sexual acts. He is also accused of conducting unnecessary medical procedures and improperly reusing single-use medical devices without appropriate cleaning or disinfection. The ramifications of these actions raise significant concerns about patient safety and ethical medical practices.
As the case is ongoing, Dr. Kumar is currently prohibited from prescribing Schedule II drugs based on a report issued by the state of Tennessee in April 2025. Despite these serious allegations, he maintains his innocence. His attorney has highlighted that Dr. Kumar is one of only 300 specialists in the United States in the fields of gynecologic oncology and high-risk pelvic surgery, emphasizing the importance of his specialized clinic, which provides necessary services that are unavailable within a 200-mile radius of Memphis.
Dr. Kumar’s clinic had previously been shuttered amid the legal challenges but is on track to reopen under specific conditions. However, as of July 29, 2025, it remains listed as temporarily closed on Google. His attorney notes that patients should be allowed to make their own choices regarding their healthcare providers, suggesting that there remains a patient base willing to seek care from Dr. Kumar despite the ongoing legal issues.
The maximum penalties for the charges Dr. Kumar faces include 20 years in prison for the sexual offenses, with comparable penalties for the healthcare fraud and misuse of medical devices. The allegations indicate potentially damaging practices that include submitting falsified claims to Medicare and Medicaid, based on unsubstantiated symptoms, and performing unnecessary medical interventions without patients’ informed consent.
The recent transfer of this case comes just as additional charges were added, indicating the gravity and evolving nature of the accusations against Dr. Kumar. The case has garnered extensive media attention, shaping public perceptions of the doctor and his clinic. A new trial date has yet to be set following the assignment of the new judge, which feeds into the uncertainty surrounding the future of both Dr. Kumar and his medical practice.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of this case extend beyond Dr. Kumar’s reputation and practice; they raise broader questions about patient safety, regulatory oversight in the medical field, and the ethics of healthcare providers. The outcome will be closely monitored by both the legal community and the public, as it unfolds in the coming months.
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Additional Resources
- WREG: New Judge Transferred to Case
- Google Search: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar
- Eastern Progress: New Judge Takes Over Case
- Wikipedia: Healthcare Fraud
- Local Memphis: Memphis Doctor Indicted
- Google News: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Case
- Fox 13 Memphis: More Charges for Indicted Gynecologist
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Safety
- Action News 5: Trial Set for Memphis Doctor
- Google Scholar: Healthcare Fraud Case
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga 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 Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
