Indian-Origin Man Dies In Australia Days After Cops Kneeled On His Neck During Arrest
The violent arrest took place after Kundi, who had been drinking, was involved in a public argument with his wife
A 42-year-old Indian-origin man, Gaurav Kundi, has died after sustaining critical brain injuries during a violent police restraint in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, Australia. During the arrest, an officer had allegedly drove a knee into Kundi’s neck.
Kundi, a father of two from Modbury North, was hospitalised on May 29 with severe brain injuries and passed away on June 12, according to The Australia Today.
Recommended Stories
The violent arrest took place after Kundi, who had been drinking, was involved in a public argument with his wife, Amritpal Kaur. During the argument, Kundi lay on the ground and reportedly pushed Kaur slightly. Police officers who arrived on the scene believed it was a domestic violence situation and restrained Kundi.
Kaur recorded part of the arrest on her phone, capturing Kundi saying, “I didn’t do anything wrong," as officers pinned him down. She later said she stopped filming after an officer placed a knee on Kundi’s neck, similar to the 2020 George Floyd case in the United States. Kaur also claimed that during the arrest, Kundi’s head was slammed against a police vehicle and the road, causing him to lose consciousness.
Kundi was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where doctors confirmed severe damage to his brain and neck nerves. Despite efforts to save him, he died nearly ten days later.
South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens had defended the officers involved, stating that bodycam footage showed they followed proper training. “At this stage, there is nothing to support any allegations that a knee was placed on the person’s neck during the incident," he had stated, also dismissing claims of racial motivation.
Police said Kundi had violently resisted arrest after leaving his home intoxicated. Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said investigations are ongoing but expressed confidence that the officers acted appropriately based on initial evidence.
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas also backed the police, acknowledging the difficult nature of their work.
About the Author
- Location :
- First Published: