The US has offered a compensation of around Rs 262 crore to the family of Jahnavi Kandula, an Indian student who died in a police car accident ...Read More

An offer of approximately ₹262 crore has been made to the family of an Indian student who died in the US. This sum is so large that it is one of the largest compensations in US history for a case of death due to police negligence.

Jahnavi Kandula, 23, died in 2023 after being struck by a speeding police officer while crossing the street. Jahnavi Kandula was from India and pursuing a master's degree in information systems at Northeastern University's campus in Seattle.

Police officer hit

The incident occurred in January 2023. Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave was responding to a drug overdose call. He was driving at 74 mph (119 kph) in a 25 mph zone. Emergency lights were flashing and a siren was blaring at the intersection, but he failed to stop Janhvi in ​​the crosswalk.

The officer was later fined $5,000 for reckless driving. He was also fired from the police department. However, King County prosecutors did not bring any serious criminal charges against him because they could not prove the officer deliberately disregarded safety.

Body camera recordings sparked outrage

The matter escalated when a body camera recording of another officer, Daniel Orderer, surfaced. In it, he was seen laughing and saying that Jhanvi's life had "limited value" and that the administration should "just write a check." Indian diplomats subsequently demanded an investigation. The city's civilian watchdog said these comments damaged the police department's image and eroded public trust.

The settlement was filed last Friday in King County Superior Court. Local news website Publicola first reported the news. The family's attorneys have yet to comment. City Attorney Erica Evans said, "The death of Jahnavi Kandula was heartbreaking. The city hopes this financial settlement will provide some solace to the Kandula family."

PC:Jagran