SABA-GA and Advancing Justice-Atlanta Statement Regarding Mahendra Patel’s Bond Hearing
STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2025
CONTACT:
James Woo, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta, Director of Communications, media@advancingjustice-atlanta.org
ATLANTA, GA - The South Asian Bar Association of Georgia (SABA-GA) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta (Advancing Justice-Atlanta) applaud the results of Mahendra Patel’s bond hearing held on May 6, 2025 in Cobb County Superior Court, while maintaining serious concerns about the ongoing prosecution of this case. The court granted Mr. Patel bond in the amount of $10,000. Over 250 people attended the bond hearing, donned mostly in yellow to show their support of Mr. Patel. The results of yesterday’s hearing mean that Mr. Patel can go home to his family while awaiting trial.
Mr. Patel turned 57 while in custody, while members of the community repeatedly raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the charges against him. Rather than engaging with this growing public outcry, the District Attorney’s Office ignored the well-founded concerns voiced by advocates, community leaders, and legal observers alike. Publicly available surveillance footage appeared to contradict the accuser’s claims, indicating no inappropriate physical contact or interactions by Mr. Patel as alleged. Still, Mr. Patel remained detained, and the Cobb County DA opposed bond.
While SABA-GA and Advancing Justice-Atlanta celebrate Mr. Patel’s release from custody during his proceedings, we call on members of the public to stay tuned to Mr. Patel’s case. SABA-GA and Advancing Justice-Atlanta maintain serious concerns about the pursuit of these charges and the DA’s attempt to deny him bond. As the turnout yesterday indicates, the community agrees. Bipartisan leadership in Cobb County agrees. We reiterate our call for an impartial, prompt, and thorough review of all charges and evidence. While we are glad the court granted Mr. Patel bond, we recognize that this is hardly the end of Mr. Patel's fight for justice. Prosecutors must take care not to reflexively pursue the harshest possible course and erode community trust.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), and other marginalized communities in Georgia and the Southeast.
SABA-GA is a local organization committed to raising awareness of legal issues affecting the South Asian community. We strive to foster an environment that upholds due process and equal treatment under the law. We speak out in cases like Mr. Patel’s to ensure that every individual—regardless of background—is afforded the dignity, fairness, and justice that our system promises and we will continue to advocate whenever these principles are at risk.
