More than 43,000 people sign petition demanding justice for Mahendra Patel in incident at Georgia Walmart

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In an incident which took place nearly a month and a half ago at a Walmart store in Georgia, an Indian-origin man, Mahendra Patel, was taken into custody and refused bail. A Change.org petition started by a man named Alpesh Patel, entitled, “Help innocent Mahendra Patel to get justice” has garnered more than 43,000 signatures as of May 5, 2025 morning, with more being added every few minutes, calling for the release of Mahendra Patel.

The Change.org petition has posted the video of the incident at Walmart, and respondents who appear to have watched it, say Mahendra Patel is innocent of the alleged kidnapping attempt claim made by the woman, Caroline Miller.  Miller was steering a cart and had already clipped one of the displays, when Mahendra Patel, stepped forward to reach for the younger child in the cart to prevent his fall, as his attorney Ashleigh Merchant told CNN.

Following is the Change.org petition, @change.org/p/help-innocent-mahendra-patel-to-get-justice, which also includes a Facebook link to the video of the Walmart incident. It urges people to watch the video and sign the petition for Mahendra Patel’s innocence:

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“Mahendra Patel, a well-respected lifetime member of “LPS of USA” (Leuva Patidar Samaj of USA), has been unjustly accused of child kidnapping in Acworth Walmart in Kennesaw, GA. This accusation not only has significant implications for his personal and professional life, but also tarnishes the reputation of the LPS community in the United States.

While it is undeniable that child kidnapping is a grievous crime that needs to be tackled rigorously, Patel has been singled out without compelling evidence, leaving a question mark on the fairness of the justice system of Cobb County.

Statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that wrongful accusations not only harm individuals but also often detract from the pursuit and prosecution of the real culprits [FBI National Arrest Statistics].

Mahendra Patel is community pillar who for many years, has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the LPS community in the United States. His wrongful implication in a crime he did not commit is not just an individual struggle, but a collective battle against discrimination.

Justice must be dealt with fairness. The plight of Mahendra Patel is a testament to a broader issue – the fight against inequality in our society. Let our voices amplify his struggle and curtail the ongoing injustice. Please sign this petition to support Mahendra Patel and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.”

The petition goes on to say, “Mahendra Patel is not asking for any monetary help by signing this petition, you will be helping him to resolve this case. You do not have to donate any money unless you want to help website organization.”

Responses to the Change.org petition range from expressing support for Mahendra Patel, to comments like the one from Evan saying, “Looks like color played a part,” to others warning people not to help anyone, garnering the thought, “My value system is shattered after learning about this case,” from Rajshri.

One respondent, Kris, posted, “Mahendra Patel deserves to be freed. He is a law abiding citizen. He does not deserve this treatment. I am appalled reading how he is being treated. This is not right.”

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