New Delhi:

India has sought a review of the US court judgment that dropped criminal charges against a Seattle police officer who killed 23-year-old Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula. The prosecutor said she could not pursue criminal charges against the officer due to “lack of sufficient evidence”.

Jaahnavi, a Master’s student from Andhra Pradesh, was hit by Seattle police officer Kevin Dave’s speeding car on January 23 last year while he was responding to a drug overdose call. The 23-year-old was flung 100 feet after the police vehicle hit her at nearly 120 kmph.

Bodycam footage showed Officer Dave’s colleague Daniel Auderer laughing about the deadly crash, assuring him that he won’t be prosecuted for the death as Jaahnavi was “26 anyway” and “had limited value”.

The Indian embassy said its working to ensure justice to her family and is now waiting for Seattle police to complete its investigation.

On the recently released investigation report of the King County Prosecution Attorney on the unfortunate death of Jaahnavi Kandula, Consulate has been in regular touch with the designated family representatives and will continue to extend all possible support in ensuring justice…

— India In Seattle (@IndiainSeattle) February 23, 2024

“On the recently released investigation report of the King County Prosecution Attorney on the unfortunate death of Jaahnavi Kandula, Consulate has been in regular touch with the designated family representatives and will continue to extend all possible support in ensuring justice for Jaahnavi and her family. We have also raised the matter strongly with local authorities, including Seattle Police for appropriate redress. The case has now been referred to Seattle City Attorney’s office for review. We await completion of Seattle Police’s administrative investigation and will continue to monitor progress on the case,” the embassy said in a statement.

On Friday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion, while expressing concern about Officer Auderer’s “appalling and deeply troubling” comments, said they do not alter the legal analysis of Officer Dave’s conduct. Prosecutors said that they did not have “sufficient evidence” to prove Officer Dave showed a “conscious disregard for others’ safety.”

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. 
 

A protester holds a sign calling for justice as people protest 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 Sept. 14, 2023, in Seattle.
| Photo Credit: AP

The Seattle police officer who struck and killed Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula while responding to an overdose call, will not face any criminal charges due to lack of “sufficient” evidence, authorities said.

On February 21, the King County Prosecutor’s Office said they would not move forward with criminal charges against Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave, FOX13 Seattle reported.

In a statement released on February 21, the King County Prosecuting Attorney said, “Kandula’s death is heartbreaking and impacted communities in King County and across the world.” Kandula, 23, was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Dave when she was crossing a street in Seattle on January 23. He was driving 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call. Kandula was thrown 100 feet when she was struck by the speeding police patrol vehicle.

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

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said that she believes they lack the evidence to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt, the report added.

“It is the responsibility of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to review all available evidence relating to the case involving Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave and the January 2023 collision death of Jaahnavi Kandula. After staffing this case with senior deputy prosecuting attorneys and office leadership, I have determined that we lack sufficient evidence under Washington State law to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The statement also said that the prosecutor’s office also finds the comments made by Seattle Police Officer Daniel Auderer, recorded on his body-worn video, “appalling and deeply troubling.” Mr. Auderer, who was not involved in the January collision, was captured in the video saying, “But she is dead” and laughing while on the phone.

She was 26 anyway,” Mr. Auderer said in the video. “She had limited value.” “Officer Auderer’s comments were also unprofessional and undermined the public’s trust in the Seattle Police Department and law enforcement in general,” said Manion.

“As egregious as Officer Auderer’s comments are, they do not change the PAO’s legal analysis into the conduct of Officer Dave. It is the Office of Police Accountability that bears the responsibility of disciplinary investigation and proceedings relating to Officer Auderer’s comment, not the PAO.”

Mr. Auderer was pulled from patrol in September 2023 and reassigned to a “non-operational position.” Mr. Auderer could still be fired after the fallout of his insensitive comments captured on bodycam.

Mr. Auderer’s chain of command and the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) found he acted unprofessionally. For that, he faces the highest disciplinary range of nearly two weeks suspension up to termination, according to a disciplinary action report.

Before a final disciplinary decision, Mr. Auderer will have the chance to meet with Police Chief Adrian Diaz to disagree.

His disciplinary hearing is scheduled for March 4, K5 News reported.

Seattle local media reported that speed was the cause of the collision, as the speed at which Dave was travelling did “not allow (Kandula) or him sufficient time to detect, address and avoid a hazard that presented itself.” Mr. Dave was responding to a “priority one” call at the request of the Seattle Fire Department, according to the Seattle Police Department. According to the police report, the officer was responding to a report of a drug overdose.

The officer did not have his siren activated continuously. Instead, the officer “chirped” his siren at the intersection. He did have his emergency lights on, according to a previous statement from the police department.

In a memo to Seattle police, prosecutors wrote there was not enough evidence to prove Dave showed “conscious disregard for others safety.” A drug recognition expert responded to the scene and found no impairment in the officer.

Kandula was a graduate student at Northeastern University at the Seattle campus. The university said in January 2023 that they would award her degree posthumously and present it to her family.

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.”

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild on September 15 came out in defence of its official, who was found making insensitive comments after the death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula early this year, saying some viral videos of police actions shared by media fail to explain the full story and context.

Kandula, a student at Washington’s Northeastern University, was struck by officer Kevin Dave at a pedestrian crossing on the night of January 23, 2023. He was driving at a speed of more than 119 kmh on the way to a report of a drug overdose call.

In a 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.

In the video, Mr. Auderer can be heard saying, “Yeah, just write a cheque. $11,000. She was 26 anyway, she had limited value.” “The video captures only one side of the conversation. There is much more detail and nuance that has not been made public yet…,” the Seattle Police Officers Guild said in a statement as it also released a letter written by its officer Auderer in which the latter is saying that he intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers.

In the letter dated August 3 to the Office of Police Accountability, Mr. Auderer said he laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents are litigated and the ridiculousness of how he has watched these incidents play out as two parties bargain over a tragedy.

“At the time I believed the conversation was private and not being recorded. The conversation was also not within the course of my duties,” he wrote in his letter to Gino Betts, director Office of Police Accountability.

“On January 23, 2023 I was dispatched from home to assist with a fatality collision involving a city vehicle,” he said.

“While enroute home I called Mike Solan to give him an update regarding what had occurred. The phone call was inadvertently recorded on my BWV which had turned on. The conversation took place in my patrol car. I was the only occupant. During that phone call Mike Solan stated something to the effect that it was unfortunate that this would turn into lawyers arguing ‘The value of human life.’,” he wrote.

“Mike Solan asked me as he was lamenting the loss of life something similar to: ‘What crazy argument can a lawyer make in something like this? What crazy thing can they come up with.’ I responded with something like: ‘She’s 26 years old, what value is there, who cares.’ I intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers — I was imitating what a lawyer tasked with negotiating the case would be saying and being sarcastic to express that they shouldn’t be coming up with crazy arguments to minimize the payment,” Mr. Auderer wrote.

“I laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents are litigated and the ridiculousness of how I have watched these incidents play out as two parties bargain over a tragedy. At the time I believed the conversation was private and not being recorded. The conversation was also not within the course of my duties,” he said.

“I understand that without context, the comment could be interpreted as horrifying and crude. Without context, the comment is insensitive to the family of the victim when in reality I was involved in a conversation regarding the callousness of the legal system. At the time I had no idea who the victim was,” he wrote.

Auderer said he does understand that if a citizen were to hear it that they would rightfully believe he was being insensitive to the loss of a human life. “I also understand that if heard it could diminish the trust in the Seattle Police Department and make all of our jobs more difficult. With all of that being said the comment was not made with malice or a hard heart, quite the opposite.

“My intent in requesting rapid adjudication is to be as transparent as possible. I am willing to accept any reasonable discipline our accountability partners and the Chief of Police wish to hand down,” he said.

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild in its statement said some viral videos of police actions shared by media fail to explain the full story/context.

“This Seattle Police video is an example of that reality. The video captures only one side of the conversation. There is much more detail and nuance that has not been made public yet… SPOG has full confidence that the civilian led police accountability system known as the Office of Police Accountability / OPA will conduct a thorough and fair investigation,” the guild wrote.

Upon being made aware of the existence of this video, Auderer immediately took ownership of his actions and authored a statement requesting that the Director of OPA (Gino Betts) consider the course of “Rapid Adjudication”, the statement read.

“Rapid Adjudication is a disciplinary process that was agreed to by the City of Seattle and the SPOG to expedite police employee misconduct investigations so accountability can be swiftly addressed, and reasonable discipline imposed. This was done by Dan more than 4 weeks before the release of the video,” the guild said.

Meanwhile, an online petition has been launched and signed by thousands of people seeking to terminate mr. Auderer.

“By allowing Auderer to remain in a position where he interacts with the public, we are putting our community at risk. His actions have shown that he does not prioritize public safety nor respect the rights and dignity of individuals under his jurisdiction,” said the online petition on Change.org.

`Auderer was captured on his body camera making a disturbing statement in the moments following the accident, suggesting that Jaahnavi’s life had “limited value.” When the bodycam footage was leaked this week, several petitions were started on Change.org demanding accountability.

“We call upon Mayor Jenny Durkan, City Council members, and other relevant authorities to prioritize the well-being of our community by addressing these issues promptly. We want justice. Jaahnavi is our daughter, our sister,” said Nishtha Raheja Goel who launched the online petition. By Friday night, the petition had more than 6,700 signatures.

The petitioners urge the authorities responsible for overseeing law enforcement personnel decisions in Seattle to immediately terminate Auderer from his position, conduct thorough background checks during recruitment processes, implement stricter accountability measures within law enforcement agencies and provide comprehensive training on empathy, cultural sensitivity, and appropriate behavior towards victims and their families.

“By taking these actions, we can restore trust in our police force and ensure the safety of all residents in Seattle. Let us stand united against those who abuse their power and demand justice for Jaahnavi Kandula and all victims who have suffered due to Daniel Auderer’s actions,” the petition says.

Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant in a statement called for an immediate, independent, public investigation into this outrage.

“Auderer, who is the Vice President of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild (SPOG), a deeply reactionary organization which has fought against every measure of police accountability, should be immediately fired. Mike Solan, the President of SPOG, should also be fired from the Seattle Police Department,” she said.

The OPA has failed to hold police accountable, and our city’s working people need an independently elected community oversight with full powers over the police, including hiring and firing, and policies and procedures.

“Seattle Police officer Auderer cackled in response to the death of Kandula, a young Indian exchange student, after she was run over by officer Dave’s police vehicle, saying her life “had limited value. Auderer’s callous disregard for human life shown in this video is particularly chilling, because he has a publicly funded gun with the authority to use lethal force,” Sawant said.

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

A photo of Jaahnavi Kandula is displayed with flowers, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Seattle, at the intersection where she was killed by a Seattle Police officer driving north while responding to a nearby medical incident.
| Photo Credit: AP

The Biden administration has assured the Indian government of a quick investigation into the death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula in Seattle after being struck by a speeding police patrol car and bringing to justice the police officers who were responsible for it.

The U.S. government swung into action after India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu, strongly raised the issue at the highest level in Washington and sought prompt action on the killing of Kandula, and the highly insensitive behaviour of the police officer in Seattle in Washington State.

Kandula was killed in January after she was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave. He was driving 74 mph (more than 119 kmph) on the way to a report of an overdose, the Seattle Times newspaper reported on Monday.

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.

U.S. lawmakers and Indian-Americans have expressed outrage over the death of Kandula.

The Biden administration has assured the Indian government of a quick investigation into the incident and bringing to justice the police officers who were responsible for it.

Senior administration officials are believed to have assured the Ambassador and the Indian government that the entire incident has been taken very seriously by them.

They are monitoring its investigation from Washington DC the progress of the case to ensure that there is adequate accountability.

Officials said that they were “shocked” and “horrified” at this incident.

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco on Wednesday termed the handling of Kandula’s death as “deeply troubling”.

“We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle and Washington State as well as senior officials in Washington DC for a thorough investigation and action against those involved in this tragic case,” the mission said in a post on platform X.

“The Consulate & Embassy will continue to closely follow up on this matter with all concerned authorities,” it added.

“Jaahnavi Kandula came here for graduate work from India. She was killed on a crosswalk by a speeding police car, and Officer Auderer said her life had “limited value.” I thought of my dad who came here in his 20s. Mr. Auderer, the life of every Indian immigrant has infinite value,” Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna said.

“Anyone who thinks that a human life has “limited value” should not be serving in law enforcement,” Mr. Khanna said.

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said: “This is appalling. I hope to see justice for Jaahnavi Kandula’s family and accountability for those involved.” In a letter to the Kandula family, Seattle City Mayor Bruce Harrell said that the comments made by one person do not reflect the feelings of the city or the communities that call it home.

“We recognise that Jaahnavi’s death is a loss for our whole community – the loss of a young woman who had so much life ahead of her to do amazing things and share that joy with loved ones,” Mr. Harrell said in his communication to the Kandula family.

Indian Consul General in San Francisco Ashok Mandula has been in constant touch with the officials from Seattle City and Washington State on this issue.

Expressing his deepest condolences to the Kandula family, Harrell said the “community is heartbroken and mourns alongside your family, friends and everyone who shared the privilege of knowing” her. Expressing condolences on the untimely passing of Kandula, community leader Ajay Bhutoria said her death reminds of the importance of safety and respect for all individuals in the community.

“We are deeply troubled by the unfortunate statement and poor conduct displayed by a Seattle police officer during this incident. Regardless of one’s background or circumstances, every individual deserves dignity, fairness, and compassion,” he said.

Describing this as unacceptable behaviour, Mr. Bhutoria said it is crucial that incidents like these are rigorously examined, and accountability is upheld to maintain community trust in the law enforcement agencies.

“As a community, we must unite to support Jaahnavi’s family and advocate for positive change. We urge authorities to take swift action to address this situation and implement measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future,” Mr. Bhutoria said.

The Seattle Office of Police Accountability said that it has opened an investigation into the incident and they need to complete it before January 29.

Washington:

The US government has assured India of a quick and fair investigation into the death of Andhra Pradesh student Jaahnavi Kandula in an accident in Seattle, reports news agency PTI. The Indian student was killed after being hit by a speeding police car in January.

A video released by Seattle Police Department showing a cop laughing while talking about the accident has sparked outrage. The US government swung into action after Indian consulate raised the issue and sought action against those responsible for Jaahnavi Kandula’s death and also those heard joking on the video.

.. for a thorough investigation & action against those involved in this tragic case.
The Consulate & Embassy will continue to closely follow up on this matter with all concerned authorities.@IndianEmbassyUS@MEAIndia

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

In the video, Officer Daniel Auderer can be heard laughing about the deadly crash and also says that there was no need for a criminal investigation against his colleague Kevin Dave, who was driving the car.

US lawmakers and Indian-Americans have expressed outrage over the death of Kandula and the video.

“Jaahnavi Kandula came here for graduate work from India. She was killed on a crosswalk by a speeding police car, and officer Auderer said her life had ‘limited value.’ I thought of my dad who came here in his 20s. Mr. Auderer, the life of every Indian immigrant has infinite value,” Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna said.

“Anyone who thinks that a human life has “limited value” should not be serving in law enforcement,” Khanna said.

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said: “This is appalling. I hope to see justice for Jaahnavi Kandula’s family and accountability for those involved.”

In a letter to the Kandula family, Seattle City Mayor Bruce Harrell said that the comments made by one person do not reflect the feelings of the city or the communities that call it home.

“We recognise that Jaahnavi’s death is a loss for our whole community – the loss of a young woman who had so much life ahead of her to do amazing things and share that joy with loved ones,” Harrell said in his communication to the Kandula family.

Senior administration officials are believed to have assured India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, that the entire incident has been taken very seriously by them.

They are monitoring its investigation from Washington DC the progress of the case to ensure that there is adequate accountability.

(With PTI inputs)