The Northeastern University in Washington has announced that it will award Jaahnavi Kandula, the 23-year-old Indian student who died in a car accident in Seattle in January, her degree posthumously. “In the days following this tragedy, our Seattle campus community joined together in a vigil of remembrance and solidarity…Her loss will be felt deeply by students, staff, and faculty…The university plans to award Jaahnavi her degree posthumously and present it to her family,” Chancellor Kenneth W Henderson said.
Honoring Jaahnavi Kandula. A statement from the Office of the Chancellor.
— Northeastern U. (@Northeastern) September 14, 2023
Read the full message here: https://t.co/Aqm44RX1ik pic.twitter.com/9lMw1Nhn46
Kandula was studying Information Systems at the institution. She would have graduated with a master’s degree in December. The Seattle Police have initiated a detailed probe against several leaders of the police union after a video of an officer went viral. He was heard making fun of the 23-year-old student who lost her life after being hit by an overspeeding police vehicle. In a bodycam video, Officer Daniel Auderer discusses the investigation into the accident involving Kandula who was fatally struck by his colleague, Officer Kevin Dave, on January 23. “Yeah, just write a check. USD 11,000. She was 26 anyway, she had limited value,” Auderer can be heard saying. On Wednesday, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco demanded a probe into the case, saying, “Recent reports including in media of the handling Jaahnavi Kandula’s death are deeply troubling.” “We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle & Washington State as well as senior officials in Washington DC .. for a thorough investigation & action against those involved in this tragic case. The Consulate & Embassy will continue to closely follow up on this matter with all concerned authorities,” the Indian Consulate wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Recent reports including in media of the handling of Ms Jaahnavi Kandula’s death in a road accident in Seattle in January are deeply troubling. We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle & Washington State as well as senior officials in Washington DC
— India in SF (@CGISFO) September 13, 2023
Meanwhile, the Joe Biden administration has assured the Indian government to carry out a swift investigation into the incident.