Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao demands justice for Jaahnavi Kandula

In a plea for justice, Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao urged U.S. Ambassador in India Eric Garcetti and India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to investigate the fatal road accident involving Andhra Pradesh native Jaahnavi Kandula. The 23-year-old student from Adoni in Kurnool district died on January 25, 2023, after a Seattle police car struck her vehicle.

K T Rama Rao expressed his concern via a tweet on Thursday, stating he was “deeply disturbed and extremely saddened” by comments from Seattle police officers, captured on body-worn cameras, which have since gone viral. The Telangana Minister has requested that an independent investigation be initiated into the matter, describing it as “tragic and shocking” that a “limited monetary value” has been ascribed to Kandula’s life.

Jaahnavi Kandula had moved to the United States in 2021 and was enrolled in a Master’s program in Information Systems at the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. She was on track to graduate in December 2023. Kandula’s death has ignited a wave of outrage, both in India and the United States, especially following the release of video footage showcasing inappropriate comments by Seattle police officer Daniel Auderer, who also serves as the vice president of the Seattle Police Guild.

In the footage, Auderer was heard making derogatory remarks about Jaahnavi Kandula’s life, stating she was of “limited value” and suggesting that the city should issue an $11,000 check as compensation. These remarks have been widely condemned and have intensified calls for an independent investigation into the fatal accident, which occurred while police officer Kevin Dave was reportedly driving at 74 mph in a 25-mph zone during a “high-priority” call.

The incident involving Jaahnavi Kandula serves as a bleak reminder of the challenges faced by Indian students abroad and has prompted demands for greater accountability from international authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of young individuals pursuing their education away from home.