A piece of highly unsettling data was published last year stating that Indian nationals recorded the highest increase of 257% in sexual offence convictions among foreign nationals in the UK from 2021 to 2024.
In another instance, 12 men were arrested in Georgia’s Cherokee County in a three-day multi-agency sting operation last year. They reportedly travelled to Cherokee County with the alleged intent to have sex with someone they believed was a 14-year-old. One of them was reportedly of Indian origin.
These may be isolated incidents. Certainly, they do not and should not reflect the broader community.
Indians are celebrated worldwide for their strong educational background, values, and upbringing. That said, the conduct of a few rotten apples has drawn disproportionate attention.
A case in point is a Gujarat-born travel agent who is behind bars in Kentucky. Two women accused him of sexually abusing them and withholding their wages.
The accused, identified as Vikas Patel (42), a travel agent, was arrested on Monday. He faces charges of theft, human trafficking, sexual abuse and rape.
The two women reportedly worked for him at a local business.
Reports claimed that his string of abuses spanned years, although the man’s version is awaited.
He was lodged in the McCracken County Jail, according to the Paducah Police Department. The investigation began in December 2025 after a woman approached police with complaints about her employment and housing situation under Patel, sparking what authorities described as a detailed and extensive inquiry.
The woman told police she had rented an apartment from Patel while working for him. She said that after moving in, her wages were withheld, even though their rental agreement did not allow for it. Investigators later confirmed that her paychecks were being deposited into Patel’s bank account.
She also claimed that during her employment, Patel made sexual advances towards her. She claimed she inappropriately touched her.
As investigations broadened, a second woman provided more details.
The second complainant said she had worked for Patel while under 18 years old.
She alleged that Patel subjected her to commercial sexual activity involving another man.
She told investigators that after leaving his employment, she was contacted to retrieve her personal belongings. When she arrived at a hotel, she was allegedly lured into a room by Patel. There she was allegedly sexually assaulted by an unknown male.
Authorities have charged Patel with human trafficking involving the commercial sexual activity of a minor, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree rape under complicity, and theft by deception involving less than $10,000.
Also Read: Gujarati Man Indicted in $400,000 Ponzi Scheme in Alabama https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarati-man-indicted-in-400000-ponzi-scheme-in-alabama/
