NewKerala.com

Key Points

Gaurav Kundi, an Indian-origin man residing in Adelaide, is fighting for his life after a police incident involving claims of excessive force. A video captured by his wife, Amritpal Kaur, allegedly shows officers kneeing him on the neck, leading to severe brain and neck injuries. The local police are currently reviewing body camera footage amid public and family outcry. Meanwhile, Kundi remains on life support, raising concerns about police conduct and the consequences of misunderstanding domestic disputes.

Key Points: Gaurav Kundi Critically Injured in Controversial Adelaide Police Restraint

  • Gaurav Kundi suffers critical injuries after police incident in Adelaide
  • Family alleges excessive force led to severe injuries
  • Wife, Amritpal Kaur, filmed and protested the incident
  • Investigation underway as police review body camera footage
3 min read

Indian-origin man fights for life after Australian police officials 'kneed him on neck'

Gaurav Kundi, an Indian-origin man, is on life support after a police restraint in Adelaide, sparking controversy over the use of excessive force.

"Doctors are saying his brain is totally damaged. - Amritpal Kaur"

Canberra, June 3

A 42-year-old Indian-origin man, Gaurav Kundi, is battling for life after a brutal arrest where he was kneed in the neck to the ground by the Australian police in Adelaide's eastern suburbs.

He is currently at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and on life support with severe brain and neck injuries, according to local media reports.

His family claimed that excessive force was used during the arrest, due to which the father-of-two lost consciousness with severe injuries.

The video, which was filmed by Kundi's wife, Amritpal Kaur, shows him being forced onto Payneham Road. Pundi can be heard shouting, "I've done nothing wrong," while Kaur is also crying and claiming his innocence.

"Just 19 seconds of video because I got panicked, and I sat on the ground with Gaurav. I kept saying he's not well, he's not well, please don't do this, just call the ambulance," she said, speaking to local Australian media outlet 9News.

"Doctors are saying his brain is totally damaged. Maybe he will wake up if his brain works, or maybe he will not," she added.

Recalling the incident, Kaur stated that their loud argument caught the attention of a passing police patrol, and they mistakenly interpreted it as a case of domestic violence.

"I just went out and followed him. What are you doing here? Let's get back home. You are drunk. You are not well. We will go home," she recalled.

"He just pushed me a little bit... The policeman thought he was assaulting me and doing domestic violence on the road, but the policeman was wrong. He was just drunk, and that's why he was loud, nothing else," she further stated

Kaur alleged that her husband was injured when his head was slammed into the police car and the road and that while he was on the ground, he was kneed in the neck.

She said she also tried to warn the police about pre-existing health conditions.

"His brain is damaged because the policeman hit him very badly on the road. His health is not very good, and his heart is not working. I am just sitting over there and praying to God. Nothing else I can do," she said.

Meanwhile, South Australia Police have launched an internal investigation and are reviewing body-worn camera footage.

Earlier, the Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said he was satisfied that officers acted appropriately.

"I can say that from that evidence I've looked at, from that body-worn video, but it is only one portion, I'm comfortable, but that is only one police officer," Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for this news article:
R
Rahul S.
This is absolutely heartbreaking 💔. No matter what the situation was, police should never use such brutal force. The video evidence clearly shows excessive violence. Hope Gaurav recovers and gets justice. Australia needs to answer for this!
P
Priya M.
While the police action seems excessive, we must also remember that drunk behavior in public can be misinterpreted. However, kneeing someone's neck is never acceptable - haven't we learned from George Floyd's case? Hope the investigation is fair and thorough.
A
Amit K.
This is why Indians need to be extra careful abroad. The police there don't understand our culture where loud arguments between couples are sometimes normal. But still, the force used was disproportionate. The MEA should intervene in this case.
S
Sunita R.
The wife's testimony is so painful to read. Imagine watching your husband being treated like this by authorities who are supposed to protect. Australia claims to be multicultural but incidents like this show their systemic racism. #JusticeForGaurav
V
Vikram J.
Police brutality is a global problem. While we criticize our own police sometimes, we must acknowledge that Western nations are no better. Hope the Australian authorities conduct a proper investigation and punish the guilty officers.
N
Neha P.
The police commissioner saying he's "comfortable" with the actions before proper investigation shows their bias. If this happened to an Australian in India, there would be international outrage. Double standards need to stop. Praying for Gaurav's recovery 🙏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50