A disturbing incident that was reported from United States (US) in the month of January this year, has taken a new turn. As per latest update, the Consulate General of India in San Franciso has demanded a thorough investigation into the death of an Indian-origin student Jaahnavi Kandula. who was hit and killed by a police car in Seattle, US.The move from the Indian government has come after reports of a viral video that got surfaced on social media showing a police officer joking and bursting into laughter over the incident.Taking it to official Twitter handle of Indian Consulate to San Francisco has asked the authorities to take the matter seriously. The tweet reads, “Recent reports including in media of the handling of Ms Jaahnavi Kandulas 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.”Recent reports including in media of the handling of Ms Jaahnavi Kandulas 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, 2023In a string of tweets, the consulate also mentioned, “.. 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.”What exactly is Jaahnavi Kandula death caseA 23-year-old graduate Indian student was killed on January 23 after she was hit by a patrolling police vehicle driven by police officer Daniel Auderer in Seattle. According to the sources, the police officer himself was driving the car at 74 mph (119 kmph) and the students body was thrown more than 100 feet (30 meters) away.Meanwhile, the Seattle Police Department has released footage from accused officer Daniel Auderers body camera on Monday, which has raised an alarm in the case.Although the reports that got surfaced in the month of June claimed that the other officer Kevin Dave was driving the car.In the footage officer Auderer, who serves as vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, can be heard saying she is dead before bursting out into laughter.In the footage Auderer, who serves as vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, while driving, can be heard talking about the accident that killed 23-year-old graduate student Kandula in a call with the guilds president Mike Solan.In the video, Auderer can be heard saying “she is dead” before bursting out into laughter.Referring to Kandula, Auderer said, “No, its a regular person.” Towards the end of the clip, he can be heard saying, through bursts of laughter, “Yeah, just write a check. Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway,” misstating the age of the victim. He further said, “She had limited value,” New York Post reported.Auderer said that he did not believe a criminal investigation was being carried out. He said, “I mean, he was going 50 mph. Thats not out of control. Thats not reckless for a trained driver,” as per ANI.Meanwhile, the India Consulate has asked the San Francisco to take the case seriously.
