The medical license of Dr. Harsha Sahni, an Indian-American physician based in Colonia, New Jersey, has been permanently revoked following her conviction for illegally recruiting and harboring two Indian women to work as low-paid domestic servants. Dr. Sahni, a rheumatologist, pleaded guilty in February 2024 to charges of conspiracy to conceal and harbor individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., as well as filing a fraudulent tax return.

Dr. Sahni is scheduled to begin serving a 27-month federal prison sentence in October 2024, according to an announcement made by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs on January 8, 2025. Since September 2023, her medical license had been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of an administrative action to revoke it entirely.

“This case underscores a troubling betrayal of the medical profession,” said Attorney General Platkin. “A physician, entrusted to provide care and uphold ethical standards, exploited vulnerable individuals for personal financial gain. This revocation sends a clear message that there is no place in medicine for such egregious misconduct.”

Cari Fais, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, highlighted the serious impact of Sahni's actions. “Dr. Sahni’s exploitation of these women for cheap labor, driven by her own financial gain, breached the core values of the medical profession. The permanent revocation of her license guarantees that she will no longer pose a danger to New Jersey residents.”

Court records showed that Dr. Sahni deliberately recruited and sheltered two women, identified as "Victim 1" and "Victim 2," who were residing in the country without legal authorization. She manipulated them into believing they would face arrest and deportation if they interacted with law enforcement, effectively coercing them into compliance. Sahni admitted to providing food, clothing, and housing in exchange for their labor as housekeepers, paying them significantly less than legal wages. Payments ranged from $240 to $600 per month, which were sent to Victim 1’s family in India.

Additionally, Dr. Sahni instructed the victims to falsely claim they were family members and visiting the United States as tourists if questioned by immigration authorities. Despite employing them as household workers, she did not report their labor on her personal income tax returns, nor did she pay the associated taxes.

The Division of Consumer Affairs filed a verified complaint that further detailed the exploitative conditions. Victim 1, who resided in Sahni's home, was required to work daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. These hours far exceeded any reasonable expectations for such work and were compensated at rates far below the minimum wage.

Authorities emphasized the severity of Sahni's misconduct, noting her exploitation of vulnerable individuals for personal financial benefit through deceptive practices. The case has drawn attention to the ethical duties of medical professionals and the grave consequences of breaching those responsibilities.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)