‘Don’t get the wrong idea about America’s reality’: Indian-American groups react to Seattle’s $29 million donation to Jaahnavi Kandula’s family

In 2023, former police officer Kevin Dave was speeding on a Seattle street and hit Jaahnvi Kandula.

The founder of the Indian American Advocacy Council talked about the $29 million settlement Seattle authorities recently reached with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian student who was run over by a speeding police car in 2023, and said there was more to the story. The settlement agreement should not reflect the reality in the United States. “The police officer who ran over and killed her joked that her value was ‘limited’. He wasn’t even fired at the time. We have spoken many times about the massive injustice faced by Janavi and her family,” IAAC founder Sidharth posted. “After relentless public pressure, we are finally starting to see some measure of justice for Janavi Kandula. Please don’t get the wrong idea about the reality in America,” Sidharth added. The comment was a reaction to social media users’ response to Seattle’s largesse compared to what might happen in India. “Every day in India, people fall into cesspools and die like insects. Forget about compensation – no one ever goes to jail!” Sidharth’s post said in response.

Who is Janavi Kandula?

In January 2023, 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula was run over and killed by a police car while returning from the campus of Northeastern University, where she was studying for a master’s degree in information systems. Seattle’s South Asian community pursued the case after the ruthless police officer was caught joking about Kandula’s death. As the lawsuit continues, Seattle authorities have agreed to pay the family $29 million.

Kevin Dave Fired in 2025, Odley says his comments were taken out of context

Officer Kevin Dave was fired in January 2025, two years after hitting Kandula. That night, Dave was speeding on his way to a possible overdose victim. Another officer, Daniel Auderer, was dispatched to the scene to determine if Dave was under the influence. Odler laughed and joked about Kandula’s death and said authorities should write a check. He forgot to turn off his body camera when he made these comments, which was captured. Odler, who was also fired following the investigation, has challenged the decision and said his comments were taken out of context, that he was mocking the city attorney and did not downplay the deaths.