India has asked for a reexamination of the US court ruling that dismissed charges against a Seattle police officer involved in the death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, 23. The prosecutor stated that there was “insufficient evidence” to file criminal charges against the officer.
On January 23, 2018, while Seattle police officer Kevin Dave was responding to a drug overdose call, his speeding cruiser struck Jaahnavi, an Andhra Pradesh master’s student. The police car hit the 23-year-old at around 120 kmph, sending her flying 100 feet.
Officer Dave’s coworker Daniel Auderer was captured on camera chuckling at the fatal collision and telling him that Jaahnavi was “26 anyway” and “had limited value,” so he won’t face any charges.
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 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.
Though concerned over Officer Auderer’s “appalling and deeply troubling” remarks, King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion stated on Friday that they do not change the legal analysis of Officer Dave’s actions. In its statement, the prosecution claimed they lacked “sufficient evidence” to demonstrate that Officer Dave had a “conscious disregard for others’ safety.”
