Drew solace from Gita, says Indian-American in jail for 47 days in false kidnapping case

Mahendra Patel, a 57-year-old Indian-origin engineer, who was accused in a false kidnapping case, said he found comfort in the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita during his 47 days in the Cobb County Jail in Georgia. He said even a white inmate sought a copy of the Hindu scripture.

Patel, who said he was shocked by his arrest, was released on a USD 10,000 bond after spending 47 days in prison.

The Indian-American was accused by 26-year-old Caroline Miller of trying to abduct her two-year-old child at a Walmart store on March 18. He walked out of jail on a bond on May 6.

Talking to reporters outside the courthouse, the 57-year-old said, “It feels great. Finally, I am out.”

“I am so happy to be back with my family — my daughters, my circle,” Atlanta-based news portal, NRI Pulse, quoted Patel as saying.

WHITE MAN SOUGHT A COPY OF GITA, SAYS PATEL

While in jail, Patel said he relied on faith and inner strength to persevere. He spent time reading the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred Hindu scripture, NRI Pulse reported.

One moment that stood out to him was when a white inmate saw him reading the book and asked if he could have a copy, according to the report.

“I told him, Of course. We’ll send you 10 if you want. It felt like a bigger, deeper message,” Patel said.

Patel credited his daughter, Elena, for leading efforts to organise legal aid and raise public awareness while he was incarcerated. He also expressed gratitude to her and his attorney, Ashley Merchant, for their relentless support.

A petition urging his release collected more than 47,000 signatures and attracted widespread support from across the world.

Expressing his gratitude to the people who extended their support to him, Patel said he was deeply moved by the show of solidarity.

“I am overwhelmed. I don’t know how I will ever repay the support I have received,” he said.

On being asked about the accusations and statements made by Caroline Miller, Patel chose not to respond directly, most likely because the case was on.

Instead, he said, “We take everything in life positively. Whatever comes, it’s her karma. We go on with our life.”

HE IS ENTITLED TO A BOND: JUDGE

According to the police complaint, Patel was accused of trying to grab the toddler from Miller, riding a motorised cart with her two children.

However, Patel has maintained his innocence, saying he only reached out to ensure the child didn’t fall off the cart after Miller helped direct him to the Tylenol section for his mother’s medication.

Initially denied bond, Patel’s legal team presented surveillance footage from the store, which they say shows no signs of force or an attempt to flee the scene. The footage, although partially obscured, was enough for Cobb County Superior Court Judge A Gregory Poole to grant Patel’s release, stating, “I’m going to grant this man a bond. He’s entitled to a bond.”