Washington: A controversial Indian-American physician in the US has been arrested on fraud charges for prescribing abortion-inducing drugs to patients who were not pregnant.

Naresh G Patel, who was arrested yesterday in Oklahoma city, could face up to three years in jail and a maximum fine of USD15,000 if convicted, according to a statement by Attorney General Scott Pruit. Operating the Outpatient Services for Women clinic in Warr Acres, Patel faces three counts of obtaining money under a false pretence after improperly prescribing abortion-inducing drugs to patients that he falsely identified as pregnant.