SABA-GA & Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta Statement Supporting the Immediate Review of the Charges Against Mahendra Patel
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) are deeply concerned by the ongoing prosecution and detention of Mahendra Patel in Cobb County. For more than a month, Mr. Patel, 56, has been held in custody without bond. Publicly available surveillance footage appears to contradict the accuser’s claims, indicating no inappropriate physical contact or interactions by Mr. Patel as alleged. Despite this, Mr. Patel remains detained and still faces serious charges that jeopardize his freedom, livelihood, and reputation.
Given these circumstances, SABA-GA and Advancing Justice-Atlanta strongly urge the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office to conduct an impartial, prompt, and thorough review of all charges and evidence. We further call on these agencies to publicly clarify the basis for Mr. Patel’s continued detention and prosecution in light of the surveillance footage. Mr. Patel’s ongoing detention is a reminder of the struggles many Georgians face in accessing justice in a timely manner, especially as Georgia has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. Public trust hinges on transparency, accountability, and due process. SABA-GA and Advancing Justice-Atlanta join members of the public, including Mr. Patel’s family, in encouraging others, including those in the legal community, to lend their voices to this call for review.
See a petition from Mr. Patel’s family at www.givesendgo.com/justiceformahendrapatel.*
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.
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.
*Please note SABA-GA and Advancing Justice-Atlanta are not affiliated with or operating this petition or any related activities.
