Justice for Jaahnavi: Seattle Agrees to Historic ₹260 Crore Settlement for Family of Indian Student Killed by Police

Seattle / New Delhi: In a significant legal conclusion to a tragedy that sparked international outrage, the City of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million (approximately ₹262 crore) to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student who was struck and killed by a speeding police patrol vehicle in January 2023.

The settlement, confirmed by the Seattle City Attorney's office on Wednesday, marks one of the largest payouts in the city's history for a wrongful death claim. It brings a measure of closure to a case that not only highlighted police negligence but also exposed shocking insensitivity within the force.

What is the Case About?

The incident occurred on January 23, 2023, in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle.

• The Crash: Jaahnavi Kandula, a master’s student at Northeastern University, was crossing a street at a marked crosswalk when she was hit by a patrol car driven by Officer Kevin Dave.

• The Speed: Investigations revealed that Officer Dave was driving at a staggering 74 mph (119 km/h) in a zone with a speed limit of 25 mph (40 km/h). He was reportedly responding to a "priority one" drug overdose call.

• The Impact: The force of the collision was so severe that Jaahnavi was thrown over 100 feet. She succumbed to her injuries shortly after.

The Bodycam Controversy: "Limited Value"

While the crash itself was tragic, what followed ignited a global firestorm. Months after the incident, bodycam footage surfaced featuring Officer Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, laughing and joking about Jaahnavi’s death.

In the disturbing video, Auderer was heard downplaying the tragedy during a call with another union leader, saying:

"She is dead... No, it’s a regular person... Just write a check. Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway. She had limited value."

These callous remarks drew sharp condemnation from the Indian government, US lawmakers, and civil rights groups. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco termed the incident "deeply troubling" and demanded a thorough investigation.

Accountability and Consequences

The fallout from the incident led to significant disciplinary actions, though criminal charges remained elusive.

• Officer Kevin Dave: The driver of the vehicle was fired from the Seattle Police Department in January 2025. However, the King County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file felony criminal charges against him, citing a lack of evidence to prove "conscious disregard" for safety. He was instead fined $5,000 for negligent driving.

• Officer Daniel Auderer: The officer who made the insensitive comments was fired in 2024 for unprofessional conduct that "brought shame" to the department.

"A Sense of Closure"

Announcing the settlement, Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans stated:

"Jaahnavi Kandula’s death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family. Jaahnavi’s life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends, and to our community."

Reports indicate that approximately $20 million of the settlement amount will be covered by the city’s insurance policies.

Conclusion: While no amount of money can replace the loss of a promising young life, the ₹260 crore settlement serves as a stern acknowledgement of accountability. It stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by Jaahnavi’s family and the global community that stood by them.