An Indian-origin man, Gaurav Kundi, is in a coma and on life support in Australia after an incident involving the police in Adelaide. The 42-year-old, a father of two, sustained critical brain injuries after police allegedly knelt on his neck during an arrest. The incident has sparked concerns about police use of force and potential racial bias, drawing comparisons to the George Floyd case in the United States.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday in Adelaide's eastern suburbs. Police were responding to what they believed was a domestic dispute between Kundi and his partner, Amritpal Kaur. However, Kaur insists that they were simply arguing and that Kundi was not violent, only drunk and loud.
According to reports, a passing patrol car stopped the couple. Footage obtained by local media shows Kundi being pinned to the ground by several officers while shouting, "I've done nothing wrong." Kaur is seen in the video, visibly distressed, pleading with the officers to release her partner and stop their actions, which she described as unfair.
Kaur alleges that during the arrest, a police officer forcefully knelt on Kundi's neck, and his head struck both a police vehicle and the road. She stated that she stopped recording the incident out of panic as the situation escalated. Kundi subsequently lost consciousness at the scene.
Kundi was immediately transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where doctors determined he had suffered severe brain damage and injuries to his neck nerves. He is currently in a coma and on life support. Doctors have informed his family that his prognosis is uncertain, stating that he may or may not regain consciousness depending on the extent of brain function recovery.
South Australia Police have stated that Kundi "violently resisted" arrest. However, in light of the severity of Kundi's injuries, South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has initiated a high-level investigation into the incident. He has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, "This man has suffered significant injuries. We're hoping for the best, but we have to prepare for the worst." The investigation will include a review of body-worn camera footage from the officers involved.
The incident has garnered significant attention and has raised concerns within the community. Many are drawing parallels to the death of George Floyd in 2020, which sparked widespread protests and a global conversation about police brutality and racial injustice.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The outcome of the investigation will likely have significant implications for police practices and accountability in South Australia. The community awaits the results, hoping for transparency and justice in this deeply troubling case.