Daijiworld Media Network – Georgia

Georgia, Aug 24: An Indian-origin man in the United States has demanded a public apology from law enforcement in Georgia after spending 47 days in jail on false kidnapping charges.

Mahendra Patel (62) was arrested in March after a woman at a Walmart accused him of attempting to snatch her two-year-old son from a mobility scooter. However, surveillance footage later proved Patel was only trying to prevent the child from falling. The charges were dropped earlier this month.

In an interview, Patel described the ordeal as “harrowing,” saying it left his life and reputation in ruins. “I lost 17 pounds in jail. I didn’t get my medicines for days. Being vegetarian, I survived on bread, peanut butter, and milk,” he recalled.

Patel said he faced constant threats from other inmates. “One said, ‘If I take you in the shower and beat you, what would you do?’ Another demanded half a million dollars for protection,” he revealed.

His family, meanwhile, faced social media abuse. “People wrote that I should be deported, burned alive, or sent to El Salvador,” he said.

The surveillance video, which eventually cleared him, showed Patel holding the child briefly as the scooter turned sharply. “The footage proves there was no confrontation. I even passed the woman calmly several times before leaving the store,” he explained.

Though Patel is not seeking compensation, he demanded accountability. “I want a public apology from the police and the district attorney. They must also explain what steps they’ll take so this never happens to another innocent person,” he said.