A 42-year-old Indian-origin man, Gaurav Kundi, has died after sustaining critical brain injuries during a police encounter in Royston Park in Adelaide, raising serious concerns over alleged use of excessive force by Australian police.

The incident, which took place in the early hours of May 29, led to Kundi’s death on June 13 at Royal Adelaide Hospital and has sparked comparisons to the George Floyd case in the United States.

Kundi was allegedly tackled to the ground by police officers while his partner, Amritpal Kaur, filmed parts of the incident. In the footage, Kundi can be heard protesting his innocence, shouting, “I have done nothing wrong,” as Kaur pleads with officers to stop.

According to Kaur, an officer allegedly put his knee into Kundi’s neck. She also alleged that Kundi’s head collided with a police vehicle during the scuffle, although she stopped filming in panic and could not record that moment.

However, South Australia Police disputed these claims in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the ongoing Commissioner’s Inquiry, bodycam footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows that at no point was a knee applied to Kundi’s neck, nor was his head forced into the vehicle or roadway.

Authorities stated that Kundi had allegedly “violently resisted” arrest during a confrontation with police, who intervened in a reported altercation between him and Kaur.

The statement also added that the Major Crime Investigation Branch is investigating the matter as a death in police custody, and the State Coroner, Director of Public Prosecution and Office of Public Integrity will independently oversee the proceedings.

Additionally, the South Australia Police has informed the Indian Consulate of the incident as the case is expected to remain under intense public and diplomatic scrutiny.