Family of Indian student killed by US cop gets $29 million settlement

The city of Seattle in Washington has agreed to a $29 million settlement, nearly ₹262 crore, with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student who was run over and killed by a speeding police officer in 2023. Announcing the decision, city attorney Erika Evans described Kandula’s death as “heartbreaking” and said the city hopes the financial settlement brings some sense of closure to her family.

Kandula, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh, was pursuing a master’s degree at the Northeastern University campus in South Lake Union. She had travelled to the United States from Bengaluru in 2021 under a student exchange programme and was expected to graduate in December. She was struck on January 23 by officer Kevin Dave, who was reportedly driving at speeds of up to 119 kmph in a 40 kmph zone while responding to a drug overdose call.

Her death sparked widespread outrage and protests in 2023. Public anger intensified after body camera footage from another officer surfaced, in which the officer laughed and remarked that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a check.” The comments drew strong criticism and raised questions about accountability within the police department.

Following the controversy, the officer heard in the video, Daniel Auderer, was dismissed from service. He later filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination, stating that his remarks were intended to criticise how lawyers might handle the case. The officer who was driving the vehicle was also dismissed, cited for negligent driving and fined $5,000. Prosecutors declined to file felony charges, saying they could not prove he had knowingly ignored safety.

Of the total settlement amount, about $20 million is expected to be paid through the city’s insurance. Officials said Kandula’s life mattered deeply to her family, friends and community, as the case draws to a close nearly three years after the incident.