Jaahnavi Kandula case: Father dies days before ₹260-crore US settlement

The family of Jaahnavi Kandula, the 23-year-old Indian student , killed in a high-speed Seattle police crash in 2023, has suffered a second devastating blow with the death of her father just two days before the settlement announcement of $29 million, or nearly ₹260 crore, by the city of Seattle.

Kandula Srikanth, a retired police constable , died of a heart attack on February 10. Family members said he collapsed after boarding an autorickshaw at the Guntakal railway station while travelling to assume charge at a new posting. His last rites were performed in Adoni on Wednesday. Relatives said Srikanth had been under intense emotional strain since his daughter’s death, had taken extended leave, and struggled daily with grief. They added that the family is currently in mourning and it was not appropriate to speak about the compensation at this time.

Jaahnavi’s mother, a homemaker, has been left completely shattered by the double tragedy . Relatives said she withdrew from public life after her daughter’s death and battled severe emotional distress throughout the prolonged legal proceedings in the United States. Following her husband’s sudden demise, she is struggling to cope with the loss of both her daughter and life partner within three years and is being closely supported by relatives and well-wishers. Jaahnavi is also survived by a younger sister.

Jaahnavi, a Master’s student in Information Systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was killed on January 23, 2023, when she was struck by a speeding Seattle police patrol vehicle while crossing the street at a marked crosswalk in South Lake Union. The officer driving the vehicle, Kevin Dave, was responding to a drug overdose call and was travelling at around 74 mph, or 119 kmph, in a 25 mph zone. The impact flung her nearly 100 feet, killing her instantly. Investigators later noted that the emergency siren was not continuously activated, intensifying criticism of police conduct and emergency response protocols.

The incident sparked global outrage after body camera footage surfaced showing another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughing and making insensitive remarks about Jaahnavi’s death, suggesting her life had “limited value”. The comments drew strong condemnation in India and the United States, leading to Auderer’s dismissal and renewed calls for police accountability. Indian authorities also took up the matter through diplomatic channels, seeking a thorough and transparent investigation.

The ₹260-crore compensation was finalised after Jaahnavi’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Seattle, accusing the police department of gross negligence, reckless driving, and systemic failures in emergency response protocols. City officials said the settlement, among the largest in recent years, reflected the gravity of the incident, public outrage, and legal risks, and was intended to provide a measure of accountability and closure. Around $20 million of the amount is expected to be covered by the city’s insurance. The compensation will be awarded to Jaahnavi’s surviving legal heirs, primarily her mother and younger sister, through court-approved legal procedures in the United States.

However, Srikanth’s sudden death has cast a sombre shadow over what was meant to mark the end of a painful legal battle, leaving Jaahnavi’s grieving mother to endure yet another irreversible loss.