Jaahnavi Kandula Case: US Promises Probe After India Reacts to Video of Cop Joking About Indian Girl's Death

After India strongly reacted and demanded a probe into the case where a cop was heard joking with colleagues and mocking the death of an Indian student in US’s Seattle,  Biden administration has assured the Indian government of a quick investigation.

Jaahnavi Kandula, 23, was killed after a police vehicle hit her in Seattle, United States. Massive outrage sparked after a purported bodycam video in which a police officer is heard joking and laughing about Kandula’s death went viral.

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco on Wednesday termed the incident and the now viral video of the cop’s reaction as “deeply troubling".

In a post on social media site X, the Indian Mission in San Francisco wrote: “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."

The Indian mission in its post mentioned that it has asked the authorities for a thorough investigation and action against those involved in this tragic case. “The Consulate and Embassy will continue to closely follow up on this matter with all  authorities concerned," added the post.

Also Read: ‘Had Limited Value’: Seattle Police Officer Jokes After Indian Student’s Death | WATCH

From Andhra Pradesh, Jaahnavi Kandula, was a student of Northeastern University campus in South Lake Union. She was walking near Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street when the police vehicle hit her.

At present, an investigation is underway by a city oversight agency after a body-worn camera recorded a conversation between two leaders of the Seattle Police Department union, following the tragic incident.

The Viral Video

During the conversation, an officer is heard saying that the girl’s life was of “limited value" and that the city should write a check.

According to a report in Associated Press, Daniel Auderer, who is the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, responded to the January 23 crash scene where another officer, Kevin Dave, struck and killed Jaahnavi Kandula, 23, in a crosswalk. Dave was driving 74 mph (119 kmph) on the way to an overdose call, and Auderer, a drug recognition expert, was assigned to evaluate whether Dave was impaired, The Seattle Times reported.

Afterward, Auderer left his body-worn camera on as he called guild President Mike Solan to report what happened. In a recording released by the police department Monday, Auderer laughs and suggests that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check.

Biden Admin Assures Investigation

Addressing India’s reaction, United States’ Biden administration has assured the Indian government of a quick investigation into the death of Jaahnavi Kandula in Seattle. The US government swung into action after India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, strongly raised the issue at the highest level in Washington and sought prompt action on the killing of Kandula.

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.

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.