Indian Consulate ‘Strongly’ Raises Jaahnavi’s Case With Police

SEATTLE, (IANS) – The Indian consulate in Seattle said that it has “strongly” raised the issue of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula’s killing with the city police and the case is now being referred to the Seattle City Attorney’s office for review.

The move comes after the King’s County Prosecutor’s Office said on February 21 that they will not be pressing charges against Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave, who ran over and killed Kandula, last year due to “lack of sufficient evidence”.

In a statement on February 23, the Indian Consulate said that they are awaiting the “completion of Seattle Police’s administrative investigation and will continue to monitor progress in the case.”

“We have also raised the matter strongly with local authorities, including Seattle Police for appropriate redress. The case has now been referred to the Seattle City Attorney’s office for review,” the Consulate said.

In addition, the Consulate said that it is in “regular touch with the designated family representatives and will continue to extend all possible support in ensuring justice for Jaahnavi and her family”.

Kandula, a student at the Northeastern University in South Lake Union, died after she was hit by a Seattle Police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave at a pedestrian crossing on the night of January 23 last year.

Dave, who was responding to a “high priority” call that day at 8 pm, had reportedly chirped his siren, but did not have it running consistently, as he plowed into Kandula.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a US-based Hindu advocacy group, said on Friday that it is “shocking” and “disheartening” to see that the investigation into the killing of Kandula is dismissed with no charges against those who struck her.

Kandula was thrown 100 feet when she was struck by the speeding police patrol vehicle and died on the spot.

“I f–ked up,” Dave was heard saying after the accident at the intersection where he accelerated up to 74 miles per hour at one point, much higher than the prescribed limits of 25 and 20 mph respectively.

She was the daughter of a single mother, who earned less than $200 a month and had taken an education loan to send Kandula to study abroad.