₹262 Crore settlement: US police mishap case involving Indian student Jhanvi Kandula sees historic payout

Seattle (The Uttam Hindu): A major and historic decision has been reached in the case of Jahnavi Kandula, an Indian student who died after being hit by a police vehicle in the US. The Seattle city administration has agreed to pay Jahnavi's family US$29 million (approximately Rs 262 crore) as compensation. Jahnavi, a 23-year-old resident of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, died after being hit by a police patrol car in Seattle in January 2023. This settlement brings to an end a long-running legal battle between the victim's family and the US administration. This is considered one of the largest settlements in Seattle's history in cases involving police negligence.

Death came at a speed of 119

After completing her undergraduate degree, Jahnavi Kandula was pursuing a master's degree in information systems from Northeastern University's Seattle campus. The incident occurred on the evening of January 23, 2023, when she was walking across a zebra crossing (marked crosswalk) on Dexter Avenue North. Seattle Police Department Officer Kevin Dave struck her with his patrol car. The investigation revealed that the officer had responded to an emergency call about a drug overdose and was driving at a lethal speed of approximately 119 km/h in a 40 km/h speed limit zone. Jahnavi was struck by the car and tragically died.

The policeman's joke sparked the fire

A particularly shameful aspect of the incident came to light when body-camera footage of another police officer present at the scene went viral. The officer was captured in the footage making insensitive comments and laughing about Jhanvi's death. He was heard saying in the video that Jhanvi's life had "limited value" and that the administration should simply "write a check." This video shocked not only the Indian community in America but also people around the world, leading to massive protests.

Insurance and the city will jointly provide compensation

Jahnavi's parents, heartbroken by the loss of their daughter and the police's handling of the situation, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in King County Superior Court, seeking accountability for police negligence. Seattle city officials have now admitted their mistake and said they hope the settlement will provide "some solace." According to the terms of the settlement, approximately $20 million of the $29 million will be paid by the city's insurance company, while the Seattle city administration will provide the remaining amount from its own funds.