What began as a routine shopping trip for Jimisha Avlani, an Indian tourist in the U.S., ended in handcuffs and online infamy. Avlani was caught allegedly attempting to shoplift nearly $1,000 worth of merchandise from a Target store. The incident, captured in a police bodycam video and uploaded to the YouTube channel @BodyCamEdition, went viral with over 750,000 views. The footage shows Avlani surrounded by store employees and police, pleading to “just pay” for the items she hadn’t purchased.
Despite her repeated offers to pay after being stopped, officers explained that her actions had crossed into felony territory. “You committed a felony,” one officer is heard saying. As the footage spread, so did the outrage, sympathy, and public scrutiny—especially among Indian expatriates.
Law Is Law: No Turning Back After the Crime
While Avlani appeared confused about the seriousness of the situation, U.S. legal experts were quick to point out the harsh reality. Attorney Alen Takhsh noted that once the act of theft is complete—especially when merchandise worth over $300 is involved—paying afterward doesn’t reverse the legal consequences. It’s categorized as a “Crime Involving Moral Turpitude,” which can severely impact a person’s immigration status.
“If you’re here on a student, visitor, or work visa, a conviction or even an arrest for such a crime can lead to deportation, visa revocation, or being banned from re-entry,” said Takhsh. In Avlani’s case, her tourist status may further complicate the matter, possibly resulting in a permanent ban from entering the U.S.
Community Reactions: Sympathy, Shame, and Stereotypes
The Indian-American community is deeply split over the incident. While some empathize with Avlani—believing she may have misunderstood the checkout system—others feel ashamed that her actions reinforce harmful stereotypes.
Comments on social media range from support to condemnation. One user said, “We are engaging in public shaming,” while another commented, “Why steal then and let an entire community living here be villainized?” Many feel that one incident should not define an entire diaspora, but the internet’s tendency to sensationalize personal failings has made the fallout swift and brutal.
A Pattern of Over-Scrutiny?
This is not the first time an Indian face has been spotlighted for an alleged crime in the U.S. Earlier this year, Mahendra Patel, another Indian man, was arrested in Georgia on kidnapping charges—later proven exaggerated. His case gained media attention and public support, but not before he spent six weeks in jail.
Legal experts and civil rights advocates have pointed out that people of color are often treated more harshly for minor offenses. Store owners say petty theft is common but rarely goes viral—unless the accused belongs to a minority group.
As one small-town store owner put it: “People from every community do these things. But when it’s someone of color, it becomes the headline.”