Four Indian-Americans among 1,500 granted clemency by US President Biden

President Joe Biden granted clemency to almost 1,500 people on Thursday, including four Indian-Americans. The individuals are Meera Sachdeva, Babubhai Patel, Krishna Mote, and Vikram Dutta. Biden’s act represents the largest single-day act of clemency in recent history.
The four of them were imprisoned for charges around fraud or drug distribution.
In December 2012, Dr Meera Sachdeva received a 20-year prison sentence and was required to reimburse USD 8.2 million for fraudulent activities at her former Mississippi cancer facility. She is currently 63 years old.
In 2013, Babubhai Patel received a 17-year sentence following 26 convictions related to healthcare fraud conspiracy, drug conspiracy, and associated fraud and drug violations.
That same year, Krishna Mote, aged 54, received a life sentence after being found guilty of conspiring to distribute over 280 grams of crack cocaine and more than 500 grams of cocaine, alongside aiding and abetting crack cocaine distribution.
In January 2012, Vikram Dutta, aged 63, was sentenced by a Manhattan federal court to 235 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy charges. He had utilised his perfume distribution enterprise to process millions of dollars for a Mexican drug organisation.
Biden issued pardons to 39 individuals and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others. The president explained his reasoning in a statement:
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances. As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offences. That is why, today, I am pardoning 39 people who have shown successful rehabilitation and have shown commitment to making their communities stronger and safer. I am also commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison sentences – many of whom would receive lower sentences if charged under today’s laws, policies, and practices.