Indian-origin man Gaurav Kundi on life support after Adelaide police encounter: Commissioner’s Inquiry launched amid public outcry

What happened on Payneham Road in Adelaide on May 30?

On May 30, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, South Australia Police responded to a reported disturbance involving a man and a woman in Royston Park, a suburb in eastern Adelaide. The man, later identified as 42-year-old Indian-origin resident Gaurav Kundi, was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with his partner, Amritpal Kaur. According to Kaur, Kundi was intoxicated but non-violent. Despite her insistence that medical help was needed, police attempted to restrain Kundi, leading to a confrontation that has since become the focus of intense scrutiny.

Police officials said that Kundi resisted arrest, prompting officers to apply physical force. Kaur, however, has alleged that officers slammed Kundi’s head against a police vehicle and subsequently brought him to the ground, where one officer reportedly applied a knee to his neck. Kundi lost consciousness during the incident and was immediately transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. As of June 7, he remains on life support, with medical staff citing serious brain and cervical trauma.

Why has the South Australia Police Commissioner launched an internal inquiry?

On June 6, South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens confirmed that the investigation into the incident had been escalated to a formal Commissioner’s Inquiry. This step followed mounting concern from the public, human rights organizations, and the Indian community in Australia. The inquiry, according to the Commissioner, will focus not only on the actions of individual officers but also on broader questions around police policy, restraint tactics, and training.

The South Australia Police stated that both the Major Crime Branch and the Internal Investigations Section are involved in examining the case. Body-worn camera footage is under review, but as of now, it has not been released to the public. Commissioner Stevens emphasized that the police force was treating the matter with the “seriousness it deserves,” noting that the physical condition of the individual involved warranted this level of institutional oversight.

The officers in question remain on duty, with no formal charges filed. Their identities have not been disclosed pending the outcome of the investigation.

What is known about Gaurav Kundi’s medical condition?

Gaurav Kundi remains in a critical state at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. According to updates from his partner, who has remained by his side, doctors have reported severe brain damage, likely from oxygen deprivation, as well as injuries to his neck. Kaur has told Australian media that doctors are not optimistic about Kundi regaining consciousness, with his condition considered life-threatening and potentially irreversible.

Kaur has maintained that her partner posed no threat at the time of the arrest and has expressed frustration that her requests for an ambulance were ignored. “He was drunk, not dangerous,” she told 9News in a televised interview, alleging that officers used unnecessary force in a situation that called for medical attention rather than law enforcement escalation.

What does the body-worn camera footage reportedly show?

While the footage has not been made public, it is being closely analyzed by the internal investigative teams. Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia told reporters earlier in the week that, based on initial viewing, the officers appeared to act in accordance with their training. However, he acknowledged that the final assessment will depend on a full review of all available evidence, including forensic medical reports, witness statements, and the video itself.

Calls to release the footage have grown louder, especially from advocacy organizations and the Indian-Australian community. Legal analysts say that unless the footage is released or reviewed by an independent body, public trust in the investigation may erode further.

How has the Indian community in Australia responded?

The Indian diaspora across Australia has expressed alarm at the incident. In Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, Indian community leaders have mobilized to demand transparency and accountability. Preeti Naladi, a prominent figure within the South Australian Indian community, sent a formal letter to Police Minister Stephen Mullighan demanding clarity about the nature of police actions, the current status of the officers involved, and timelines for footage release.

Naladi said the community was “shocked and anxious,” questioning whether cultural misunderstanding, implicit bias, or excessive force had contributed to what should have been a routine welfare check. Other diaspora organizations, including chapters of the Australia India Business Council and Indian Students Association, have echoed her concerns and are planning peaceful gatherings to press for an independent review.

As of June 7, there has been no formal statement from the Indian High Commission in Canberra, though consular sources have confirmed that they are in contact with South Australian authorities and monitoring developments closely.

What is the government’s response so far?

Police Minister Stephen Mullighan addressed the matter in a public statement, acknowledging the severity of the case and the heightened sensitivity it has caused within multicultural communities. He urged the public to await the outcome of the investigation before forming conclusions but affirmed that “no incident of this nature can be ignored or downplayed.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas also commented, stating that South Australia Police operate under difficult conditions and that procedural justice requires time and due process. However, he emphasized that any necessary corrective measures, including changes to protocols or disciplinary actions, would be considered based on the findings of the inquiry.

Why are comparisons being made to international incidents?

The alleged use of a knee on Kundi’s neck has prompted comparisons to the death of George Floyd in 2020, which sparked global protests and reform discussions on police use of force. Although South Australia Police training manuals do not endorse knee-to-neck restraints as standard practice, Kaur’s eyewitness account has alarmed rights groups who argue that such methods should be explicitly banned across all jurisdictions.

The case is being watched not only by Australian civil society groups but also by international observers focused on racial equity, policing reforms, and migrant rights. Experts argue that the situation underscores a persistent global tension between public safety responses and civil liberties, especially when dealing with intoxicated, vulnerable, or minority individuals.

What broader reforms are being discussed as a result of the incident?

This incident has reignited debates in South Australia’s Parliament and civil society about the role of police in responding to mental health and intoxication-related events. Many advocates argue that non-violent medical or psychological distress calls should be handled primarily by healthcare professionals or crisis response teams, rather than law enforcement.

Organizations like Change the Record and Human Rights Law Centre have renewed calls for a statewide rollout of alternative first-responder models, improved cultural awareness training, and clearer limitations on physical restraints.

The Commissioner’s Inquiry may also lead to revisions in the police department’s use-of-force guidelines, potentially including the banning of high-risk maneuvers such as neck restraints.

What happens next in the case?

The Commissioner’s Inquiry will proceed over the coming weeks, with updates expected following initial reviews of the footage and medical documentation. Depending on the findings, outcomes could include disciplinary action against the officers, recommendations for broader procedural reforms, or referral to external oversight bodies for further scrutiny.

Should Kundi’s condition deteriorate further or result in death, the matter could escalate into a criminal case and potentially involve coronial inquest proceedings.

For now, Gaurav Kundi remains on life support, and his family continues to advocate for transparency, justice, and answers. The case remains one of the most closely watched in South Australia in recent years and could prove to be a watershed moment for law enforcement reform in the state.