New Delhi:

Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student, was killed after being hit by a speeding police vehicle in the US state of Washington on January 23 last year. After a year of legal battles, court proceedings, statements from both the Indian and US governments, and calls for accountability, the police officer behind the wheels of the vehicle that ran over Ms Kandula will walk free, at least for now. 

Despite acknowledging the impact on communities both locally and “across the world”, a US prosecutor claimed a lack of “sufficient evidence” to pursue criminal charges against Seattle police officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 120 kmph when his cop car hit Ms Kandula, a Master’s student in Seattle from Andhra Pradesh. 

In bodycam footage released by Seattle Police, officer Daniel Auderer, who was not involved in the collision but was present at the scene, callously laughed about the deadly crash before dismissing the need for a criminal investigation and making insensitive comments about Ms Kandula’s age and value.

Prosecutor’s Decision

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion expressed her concerns about Auderer’s comments, calling them “appalling and deeply troubling.” However, she added that as egregious as Auderer’s remarks were, they do not alter the legal analysis of Dave’s conduct. Instead, it falls under the purview of the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) to address Auderer’s unprofessional behavior.

Auderer, who was pulled from patrol in September 2023 and reassigned to a “non-operational position,” now faces potential termination pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for March 4. The video of Auderer callously discussing Kandula’s death has not only added fuel to the fire but has raised questions about the culture within Seattle Police.

“She was 26 anyway,” Auderer said in the video. “She had limited value.”

Seattle local media reported that speed was the primary cause of the collision, as Dave’s high-speed response did not provide sufficient time for Ms Kandula to detect, address, and avoid the impending hazard. The officer did not have his siren continuously activated, instead opting to “chirp” it at the intersection. While his emergency lights were on, the lack of a continuous siren and the excessive speed raised critical questions about the urgency and necessity of such a high-speed response.

In a memo to Seattle Police, prosecutors argued that there was not enough evidence to prove Dave showed a “conscious disregard for others’ safety.” The decision not to press criminal charges hinges on Washington State law’s requirement to prove a case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Community Police Commission’s Response

The Community Police Commission (CPC) responded to the decision with a statement expressing condolences to Kandula’s family and the Indian American community. The CPC acknowledged the limitations of the legal standard applied to Dave’s conduct and questioned at what speed his emergency response would be deemed reckless or disregarding the safety of pedestrians.

“While Officer Dave was traveling 74 mph on Dexter Avenue North at night prior to striking Ms Kandula, the prosecutor determined his conduct did not meet the legal standard of ‘recklessness’ or ‘disregard for the safety of others’ under Washington’s vehicular homicide statute. It begs the question: at what speed would Officer Dave have had to drive for his emergency response to be considered reckless or disregarding the safety of pedestrians in the area?” a CPC statement read. 

The CPC said it is working with Seattle Police regarding necessary changes to their emergency vehicle operation policy. The CPC demanded the need for policies that prioritise life and avoid putting the community at further risk. Additionally, the CPC is investigating the Seattle Police practice of responding to Seattle Fire Department calls for drug overdoses, seeking answers to why Dave was responding to such a call in the first place.

International Outrage

Last year, the release of bodycam footage featuring Auderer’s remarks triggered international outrage. Lawmakers, both in the United States and among the Indian-American community, condemned the behavior displayed in the video. Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna expressed his dismay, stating that every Indian immigrant’s life has infinite value, and anyone thinking otherwise should not be in law enforcement.

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal echoed the sentiment, calling the video appalling and demanding justice for Ms Kandula’s family. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco raised concerns over the incident, seeking a thorough investigation and action against those involved.

The US government assured India of a quick and fair investigation.

Seattle City Mayor Bruce Harrell, in a letter to the Kandula family, sought to distance the city from Auderer’s comments, stating that they do not reflect the feelings of the city or its communities. 
 

New Delhi:

Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student, was killed after being hit by a speeding police vehicle in the US state of Washington on January 23 last year. After a year of legal battles, court proceedings, statements from both the Indian and US governments, and calls for accountability, the police officer behind the wheels of the vehicle that ran over Ms Kandula will walk free, at least for now. 

Despite acknowledging the impact on communities both locally and “across the world”, a US prosecutor claimed a lack of “sufficient evidence” to pursue criminal charges against Seattle police officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 120 kmph when his cop car hit Ms Kandula, a Master’s student in Seattle from Andhra Pradesh. 

In bodycam footage released by Seattle Police, officer Daniel Auderer, who was not involved in the collision but was present at the scene, callously laughed about the deadly crash before dismissing the need for a criminal investigation and making insensitive comments about Ms Kandula’s age and value.

Prosecutor’s Decision

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion expressed her concerns about Auderer’s comments, calling them “appalling and deeply troubling.” However, she added that as egregious as Auderer’s remarks were, they do not alter the legal analysis of Dave’s conduct. Instead, it falls under the purview of the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) to address Auderer’s unprofessional behavior.

Auderer, who was pulled from patrol in September 2023 and reassigned to a “non-operational position,” now faces potential termination pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for March 4. The video of Auderer callously discussing Kandula’s death has not only added fuel to the fire but has raised questions about the culture within Seattle Police.

“She was 26 anyway,” Auderer said in the video. “She had limited value.”

Seattle local media reported that speed was the primary cause of the collision, as Dave’s high-speed response did not provide sufficient time for Ms Kandula to detect, address, and avoid the impending hazard. The officer did not have his siren continuously activated, instead opting to “chirp” it at the intersection. While his emergency lights were on, the lack of a continuous siren and the excessive speed raised critical questions about the urgency and necessity of such a high-speed response.

In a memo to Seattle Police, prosecutors argued that there was not enough evidence to prove Dave showed a “conscious disregard for others’ safety.” The decision not to press criminal charges hinges on Washington State law’s requirement to prove a case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Community Police Commission’s Response

The Community Police Commission (CPC) responded to the decision with a statement expressing condolences to Kandula’s family and the Indian American community. The CPC acknowledged the limitations of the legal standard applied to Dave’s conduct and questioned at what speed his emergency response would be deemed reckless or disregarding the safety of pedestrians.

“While Officer Dave was traveling 74 mph on Dexter Avenue North at night prior to striking Ms Kandula, the prosecutor determined his conduct did not meet the legal standard of ‘recklessness’ or ‘disregard for the safety of others’ under Washington’s vehicular homicide statute. It begs the question: at what speed would Officer Dave have had to drive for his emergency response to be considered reckless or disregarding the safety of pedestrians in the area?” a CPC statement read. 

The CPC said it is working with Seattle Police regarding necessary changes to their emergency vehicle operation policy. The CPC demanded the need for policies that prioritise life and avoid putting the community at further risk. Additionally, the CPC is investigating the Seattle Police practice of responding to Seattle Fire Department calls for drug overdoses, seeking answers to why Dave was responding to such a call in the first place.

International Outrage

Last year, the release of bodycam footage featuring Auderer’s remarks triggered international outrage. Lawmakers, both in the United States and among the Indian-American community, condemned the behavior displayed in the video. Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna expressed his dismay, stating that every Indian immigrant’s life has infinite value, and anyone thinking otherwise should not be in law enforcement.

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal echoed the sentiment, calling the video appalling and demanding justice for Ms Kandula’s family. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco raised concerns over the incident, seeking a thorough investigation and action against those involved.

The US government assured India of a quick and fair investigation.

Seattle City Mayor Bruce Harrell, in a letter to the Kandula family, sought to distance the city from Auderer’s comments, stating that they do not reflect the feelings of the city or its communities. 
 

Protesters march through downtown Seattle after body camera footage was released of a Seattle police officer joking about the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old woman hit and killed in January by officer Kevin Dave in a police cruiser on September 14, 2023, in Seattle.
| Photo Credit: AP

Demanding sensitivity, respect and jail for killer police officers who were responsible for the killing of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, more than 100 members of the South Asian community held a rally on the site where she was struck and killed by a speeding police patrol car.

Kandula, 23, was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a street on January 23. He was driving 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call.

In bodycam footage released on Monday by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Daniel Auderer laughed about the deadly crash and dismissed any implication Dave might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was necessary.

Also Read | Comments taken out of context, says Seattle police officer; online petition seeks his termination

Over 100 members of the Seattle area’s South Asian community gathered at Denny Park on Saturday and made their way to the intersection where Kandula was hit.

They held signs saying “Jaahnavi had more value than Seattle Police Department” and “Justice for Jaahnavi, jail killer cops.” The rally was put together by UTSAV, which means festival or celebration, an organisation based in Bothell that helps connect South Asians with their communities.

“We’re not a monolith, the Indian community,” Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, said to the crowd.

“There’s diaspora in the community, but we are all united today.”

Video from the night of the crash has sparked international outrage over the officer’s comments.

On Saturday, rally attendees pointed out that Kandula’s life did have value.

Shifali Jamwal, who brought her 3-year-old son, said Kandula was a master’s student and moved to America for her education so “her life would have more value.”

“I can only imagine what Jaahnavi’s mom is going through,” Ms. Jamwal said.

Another attendee, Kyla Carrillo, 25, called Auderer’s comments “completely disrespectful.

“Not even unbelievable, not shocking, but just for [him] to value somebody’s life as such was disrespectful,” she said.

As people marched through the Dexter and Thomas crosswalk, one car continued moving forward, honking at protesters, despite several yield for pedestrian signs.

Between lanes at the intersection, marchers lit tea lights spelling out “Jaahnavi” and laid bouquets underneath a sign.

Kandula was set to graduate this coming December with a master’s degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. Her family said she was working toward supporting her mother in India.

Saddened by Kandula’s death, Kenneth W. Henderson, Chancellor of Northeastern University in a statement issued on the varsity’s official Facebook page on Friday said that.” Her loss will be felt deeply by students, staff, and faculty. The university plans to award Jaahnavi her degree posthumously and present it to her family.

Earlier Saturday, community members met with Seattle’s mayor and police chief regarding the release of the footage.

They said they do not endorse eliminating police, but that Seattle must improve training, and stay engaged with the South Asian community. Statements by Mayor Bruce Harrell to date, that the offensive remarks represent an isolated incident, don’t go far enough to deal with the system and police culture, leaders said.

Arun Sharma, founder of UTSAV, said the organization plans to escalate action if the Police Department doesn’t take action against Auderer and Dave.

“Let’s not wait for another major incident like this to wake us up,” Mr. Sharma said. “Immigrants die by a thousand cuts.” Before dispersing, protesters chanted “Who had unlimited value? Jaahnavi Kandula. Say her name. Jaahnavi Kandula.”

New Delhi:

The family of Jaahnavi Kandula, the young woman who died in the United States in January after being hit by a patrol car, has raised serious questions over the delay in release of bodycam footage in which a Seattle police officer is heard laughing about the horrific incident.

Ms Kandula’s grandfather said the young woman’s parents had been left “deeply distressed” by the video and that it had added to trauma and depression her mother continues to face; “This makes it worse. How can anyone speak like that after a tragic accident?” he asked.

“My daughter brought Jaahnavi up with great difficulty!”

“Why wasn’t this information revealed earlier? We have lost our child… but this is beyond shocking… and how can they say the car was not over-speeding?” he continued. The family is “not in a state to even react to this (the bodycam footage)”, her grandfather added.

READ |India Seeks Probe After US Cops Caught Joking Over Andhra Student’s Death

Meanwhile, Ms Kandula’s family has also released a statement.

“It is truly disturbing and saddening to hear insensible comments on the bodycam video from an SPD officer regarding Jaahnavi’s death. Jaahnavi is a beloved daughter and beyond any dollar value for her mother and family. We firmly believe that every human life is invaluable and should not be belittled, especially during a tragic loss.”

Ms Kandula was a 23-year-old student at Northeastern University, from where she was due to graduate with a degree in information systems in December. According to a Seattle Times report from that day – January 25 – she was hit by a speeding police car while trying to cross a road.

The Bodycam Footage

The footage was released Monday – months after Ms Kandula was killed – with a brief statement that said it had been flagged by Seattle Police Department employee “in the routine course of business” who expressed “concern about the nature of statements heard” on the video.

The SPD said it was releasing the video “recognizing public concern… in the interest of transparency” and that it would not comment further pending the completion of an investigation.

Ms Kandula was not jaywalking – i.e., crossing the road at any point other than a zebra crossing.

In the video, Officer Daniel Auderer can be heard laughing about the incident and declaring there is no need for a criminal investigation against his colleague, Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving.

What Happened To Jaahnavi Kandula?

A SPD report released in June said the patrol car – being driven by Officer Kevin Dave – was travelling at 74 miles per hour (119 km per hour). The inquiry also determined the speed of the vehicle was the main reason for the collision, the Seattle Times said in another report.

The car began braking less than a second before it hit Ms Kandula and was travelling at about 63 miles per hour (101 km per hour) at the time of impact. Ms Kandula was thrown 138 feet.

The speed limit on the street where she was hit was 25 miles per hour, or 40 km per hour.

The officers were responding to a 911 call but, significantly, Ms Kandula “had right of way”; the law states police can exceed speed limits in certain cases but not if that will endanger lives.

US Assures Probe

The United States government has promised a swift but fair investigation into Ms Kandula’s death. This comes after the Indian consulate in San Francisco demanded an inquiry.

Recent reports including in media of the handling of Ms Jaahnavi Kandula’s death in a road accident in Seattle in January are deeply troubling. We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle & Washington State as well as senior officials in Washington DC

— India in SF (@CGISFO) September 13, 2023

Senior officials of President Joe Biden’s administration have reportedly assured Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s Ambassador to the US, the incident is being taken very seriously.

With input from agencies

New Delhi:

The family of Jaahnavi Kandula, the young woman who died in the United States in January after being hit by a patrol car, has raised serious questions over the delay in release of bodycam footage in which a Seattle police officer is heard laughing about the horrific incident.

Ms Kandula’s grandfather said the young woman’s parents had been left “deeply distressed” by the video and that it had added to trauma and depression her mother continues to face; “This makes it worse. How can anyone speak like that after a tragic accident?” he asked.

“My daughter brought Jaahnavi up with great difficulty!”

“Why wasn’t this information revealed earlier? We have lost our child… but this is beyond shocking… and how can they say the car was not over-speeding?” he continued. The family is “not in a state to even react to this (the bodycam footage)”, her grandfather added.

READ |India Seeks Probe After US Cops Caught Joking Over Andhra Student’s Death

Meanwhile, Ms Kandula’s family has also released a statement.

“It is truly disturbing and saddening to hear insensible comments on the bodycam video from an SPD officer regarding Jaahnavi’s death. Jaahnavi is a beloved daughter and beyond any dollar value for her mother and family. We firmly believe that every human life is invaluable and should not be belittled, especially during a tragic loss.”

Ms Kandula was a 23-year-old student at Northeastern University, from where she was due to graduate with a degree in information systems in December. According to a Seattle Times report from that day – January 25 – she was hit by a speeding police car while trying to cross a road.

The Bodycam Footage

The footage was released Monday – months after Ms Kandula was killed – with a brief statement that said it had been flagged by Seattle Police Department employee “in the routine course of business” who expressed “concern about the nature of statements heard” on the video.

The SPD said it was releasing the video “recognizing public concern… in the interest of transparency” and that it would not comment further pending the completion of an investigation.

Ms Kandula was not jaywalking – i.e., crossing the road at any point other than a zebra crossing.

In the video, Officer Daniel Auderer can be heard laughing about the incident and declaring there is no need for a criminal investigation against his colleague, Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving.

What Happened To Jaahnavi Kandula?

A SPD report released in June said the patrol car – being driven by Officer Kevin Dave – was travelling at 74 miles per hour (119 km per hour). The inquiry also determined the speed of the vehicle was the main reason for the collision, the Seattle Times said in another report.

The car began braking less than a second before it hit Ms Kandula and was travelling at about 63 miles per hour (101 km per hour) at the time of impact. Ms Kandula was thrown 138 feet.

The speed limit on the street where she was hit was 25 miles per hour, or 40 km per hour.

The officers were responding to a 911 call but, significantly, Ms Kandula “had right of way”; the law states police can exceed speed limits in certain cases but not if that will endanger lives.

US Assures Probe

The United States government has promised a swift but fair investigation into Ms Kandula’s death. This comes after the Indian consulate in San Francisco demanded an inquiry.

Recent reports including in media of the handling of Ms Jaahnavi Kandula’s death in a road accident in Seattle in January are deeply troubling. We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle & Washington State as well as senior officials in Washington DC

— India in SF (@CGISFO) September 13, 2023

Senior officials of President Joe Biden’s administration have reportedly assured Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s Ambassador to the US, the incident is being taken very seriously.

With input from agencies