Seattle agrees to 262 crores settlement in Jahnavi Kandula case

Seattle to pay $29M (₹262 cr) to Jahnavi Kandula’s family. The Indian student was killed by a speeding police car. Both officers involved were fired

The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million (approximately ₹262 crore) in compensation to the family of Jahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student from Andhra Pradesh who tragically lost her life in 2023 after being struck by a speeding police vehicle.

Jahnavi, a master’s student at Northeastern University, was crossing a road when officer Kevin Dave, responding to a drug overdose call, hit her while driving at 119 km/h (74 mph) in a zone with a speed limit of 40 km/h (25 mph). The impact killed her instantly.

The incident sparked global outrage not only because of the reckless driving but also due to insensitive remarks made afterward. Officer Daniel Auderer, caught on body camera, was heard laughing and dismissing Jahnavi’s life as having “limited value,” suggesting that compensation would suffice. His comments provoked anger among Indian diplomats and the wider public.

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Seattle officials have now moved to provide financial relief to Jahnavi’s grieving family. City Attorney Erica Evans described her death as heartbreaking and emphasized that the settlement reflects the city’s recognition of her life’s value.

Disciplinary action has also followed. Officer Auderer has been dismissed from the police department for his derogatory remarks. Kevin Dave, the driver responsible for the accident, has been fired and fined $5,000 for reckless driving. However, serious criminal charges were dropped, as investigators concluded the accident was not intentional.

The settlement, one of the largest of its kind, underscores the gravity of the case and the accountability demanded by the public. For Jahnavi’s family, while no compensation can replace their loss, the decision marks an acknowledgment of injustice and a step toward closure.

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