Shillong, September 14: India has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian student who was struck and killed by a police car while crossing a street in Seattle, United States.
As per India Today, this demand comes in the wake of widespread outrage over a bodycam video in which a police officer can be heard making callous remarks and laughing about Kandula’s death.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco expressed deep concern about the incident and the viral video capturing the police officer’s reaction.
In a statement on platform X (formerly Twitter), the consulate stated, “We have strongly raised this matter with local authorities in Seattle & Washington State, as well as senior officials in Washington DC, seeking a comprehensive investigation and appropriate action against those involved in this tragic case.”
The consulate and embassy will continue to closely monitor the situation and collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure justice is served.
The controversy erupted when the Seattle Police Department released a video clip showing Officer Daniel Auderer laughing while discussing the death of 23-year-old Northeastern University graduate Jaahnavi Kandula. She had been fatally struck by a patrol car driven by another officer, Kevin Dave, in January.
According to The Seattle Times, based on a police investigation report, the officer driving the car was traveling at 74 mph (119 kmph), and Kandula’s body was thrown over 100 feet (30 meters).
Auderer, an impairment recognition officer, had been called to the scene to assess whether Dave was impaired. It was during this time that his body camera recorded audio from a call he made to a colleague.
The disturbing footage captures the officer inside the police vehicle making insensitive comments, suggesting that the victim “had limited value anyway” and that the city should “just write a check.” He is heard laughing about the tragic crash and downplaying any implication that the officer might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was warranted.