Mahendra Patel, an Indian-origin man, is seeking a public apology from law enforcement in Georgia, USA, after wrongfully spending 47 days in jail on false kidnapping charges. The 62-year-old was arrested in March after a woman at a Walmart alleged that he tried to grab her two-year-old son from a mobility scooter. However, surveillance footage later revealed that Patel was simply trying to prevent the child from falling. The charges against him were dropped earlier this month after the video evidence emerged.

In an exclusive interview, Patel described his ordeal as "harrowing," stating that his life and reputation have been destroyed. He recounted the difficulties he faced while incarcerated, including health and safety issues and threats from other inmates. Patel, a vegetarian, said he lost 17 pounds in jail, where he subsisted on bread, peanut butter, and milk, and didn't receive his medications for days. He also endured threats from other inmates, with one asking what he would do if he was beaten in the shower and another demanding half a million dollars for protection. Patel stated that the 47 days behind bars were marked by humiliation and fear, with some inmates saying he would "chop up kids and eat them".

Outside of jail, Patel's family also faced abuse on social media. According to Patel, people posted that he should be deported, burned alive, or sent to El Salvador. The Walmart surveillance video that eventually cleared him showed him briefly holding the child as the scooter turned sharply, preventing a fall. Patel stated that the footage proves there was no confrontation and that he even passed the woman calmly several times before leaving the store.

Patel insists he is not seeking monetary damages but accountability. He is demanding a public apology from the police and the district attorney. Following his release, Patel expressed gratitude to his community for their support. He also shared his shock at being accused of such a thing. Patel's lawyer is working to get the charges dropped.

Patel's story has sparked debate about race, justice, and faith in the US. A global petition has been launched demanding that the charges against him be dropped and that a fair investigation be conducted into his wrongful arrest.