Indian Student Jahanvi Kandula (Seattle, USA)
India has sought a review of the decision of the King County Prosecutors office not to press criminal charges against the Seattle Police officer who ran over Indian student Jahanvi Kandula while responding to an overdose call. The Indian Consulate in Seattle, in a post on X, said it was in regular touch with family members of Kandula and would extend all support in ensuring justice.
“We have also raised the matter strongly with local authorities, including Seattle Police for appropriate redress. The case has been now referred to the Seattle City Attorney office for review,” the Consulate said. “We await the completion of Seattle Police administrative investigation and will continue to monitor progress on the case,” it further said. Earlier this week, the King County Prosecutor Office said police officer Kevin Dave would not face any criminal charges due to lack of sufficient evidence.
“After staffing this case with senior deputy prosecutor 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,” Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said is a statement.
Kandula, a 23-year-old student residing in Seattle, was hit by a police vehicle being driven by Dave when she was crossing a street in Seattle on January 23, 2023. Officer Dave was responding to a drug overdose call and was driving at 120kmph at the time of the incident. The Impact of the accident was such that the student from Andhra Pradesh’s body was thrown 100 feet away. She died on the spot.
In a bodycam footage that went viral after the accident, another police officer Daniel Auderer was seen laughing about the crash while dismissing any implication Dave might be at fault. Auderer, who was not involved in the accident, was heard saying, “She was 26 anyway and she had limited value.” The prosecutor office said that comments made by Auderer were appalling and deeply troubling.
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