The tragic death of Gaurav Kundi, a 42-year-old Indian-origin man in Australia, has sparked public outrage and calls for justice, following a controversial encounter with police in Adelaide’s Royston Park.
The incident happened on May 29, when police responded to what they believed was a domestic dispute between Kundi and his partner, Amritpal Kaur. What followed was a violent arrest that left Kundi in a coma — and, two weeks later, led to his death.
What Happened?
According to Kaur, police officers tackled Kundi to the ground and one officer allegedly pressed a knee into his neck. In distress, Kaur recorded part of the encounter on her phone, capturing Kundi shouting, “I have done nothing wrong,” while she pleaded with officers to stop.
She later told the media she stopped filming in panic after allegedly seeing her husband’s head slammed against a police car and the road.
Kundi was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was treated for serious brain injuries. He never regained consciousness and died on June 13, surrounded by his family.
South Australia Police have refuted the allegations. They say Kundi was drunk and violently resisted arrest. According to their internal review and bodycam footage, they found no evidence that an officer kneeled on his neck or slammed his head during the arrest. No tasers or firearms were used.
Investigation Ordered
The case has raised serious concerns about police conduct. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said an internal investigation is underway to review the officers’ actions and existing arrest procedures. The probe will examine how police handle such situations, including their training and use-of-force policies.
Human rights groups are calling for an independent inquiry, citing similarities with the death of George Floyd in the United States in 2020 — a case that sparked global protests.
Kundi, a resident of Modbury North, leaves behind his partner and two young children. Kaur has demanded answers and accountability, saying her husband wasn’t violent — just intoxicated and loud.
“My husband didn’t deserve this. He needed help, not violence,” she told local media.
The Indian community in Australia and abroad is deeply disturbed by the incident. Social media has been flooded with messages of support for the family and calls for justice.
The Indian High Commission in Canberra is expected to take up the matter with Australian authorities, though no formal statement has been issued yet.
