NEW DELHI: The Indian consulate in Seattle has strongly raised with US authorities the local prosecutor’s decision to refrain from pursuing criminal charges against an overspeeding police officer responsible for the death of an Indian student.
On the recently-released investigation report of the King County prosecution attorney on the unfortunate death of Jaahnavi Kandula, the consulate said in a post on X it has been in regular touch with the designated family representatives and will continue to extend all possible support in ensuring justice for Jaahnavi and her family.
On Wednesday, the King County prosecutor’s office had said it would not move forward with criminal charges against Seattle police officer Kevin Dave due to a lack of evidence to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt. “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. We await completion of Seattle Police’s administrative investigation and will continue to monitor progress on the case.”
Kandula, 23, was struck by a police vehicle driven by the officer when she was crossing a street in Seattle on Jan 23. He was driving 74 mph on the way to a report of a drug overdose call. Kandula was thrown 100 feet when she was struck by the speeding police patrol vehicle.
In bodycam footage released by the Seattle police department, another officer laughed about the crash and dismissed any suggestion Dave might be at fault or that a criminal probe was necessary.
On the recently-released investigation report of the King County prosecution attorney on the unfortunate death of Jaahnavi Kandula, the consulate said in a post on X it has been in regular touch with the designated family representatives and will continue to extend all possible support in ensuring justice for Jaahnavi and her family.
On Wednesday, the King County prosecutor’s office had said it would not move forward with criminal charges against Seattle police officer Kevin Dave due to a lack of evidence to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt. “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. We await completion of Seattle Police’s administrative investigation and will continue to monitor progress on the case.”
Kandula, 23, was struck by a police vehicle driven by the officer when she was crossing a street in Seattle on Jan 23. He was driving 74 mph on the way to a report of a drug overdose call. Kandula was thrown 100 feet when she was struck by the speeding police patrol vehicle.
In bodycam footage released by the Seattle police department, another officer laughed about the crash and dismissed any suggestion Dave might be at fault or that a criminal probe was necessary.