Indian-Origin Man Dies Following Controversial Police Arrest in Adelaide
Gaurav Kundi, a 42-year-old man of Indian descent from Modbury North in Adelaide, passed away on Thursday after suffering an irreversible brain injury sustained during an altercation with police.
Events Leading to the Tragic Death
The incident unfolded on Payneham Road in Royston Park, where police attempted to arrest Kundi following reports of an argument between him and a woman. Video footage from the scene captures Kundi and his wife, Amritpal Kaur, loudly protesting as officers restrained him.
During the confrontation, a police officer allegedly applied a knee restraint to Kundi’s neck, a move that drew immediate concern given past incidents worldwide. Amid the distress, Kundi exclaimed, "I've done nothing wrong," while his wife recorded the episode, pleading for fairness.
Conflicting Accounts Surrounding the Arrest
Authorities claim Kundi was intoxicated and resisted arrest violently. They also indicated that a patrol passing by misinterpreted the couple’s argument as domestic violence, which prompted their intervention.
Contrastingly, Kaur insists her husband was merely loud and intoxicated but not aggressive or violent.
Hospitalization and Investigation Underway
Kundi was rushed to the hospital after becoming unresponsive during the arrest. His condition worsened, leading to his death surrounded by family members.
The South Australian Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, confirmed that internal investigations are ongoing, alongside a separate inquiry to review police protocols, training, and responses to such incidents. The officers involved did not deploy any firearms or tasers during the arrest.
Wider Context and Public Concern
Given the nature of the restraint applied, many have drawn parallels to the 2020 George Floyd case in the United States, where a similar knee-on-neck tactic led to Floyd’s death and ignited global protests against police brutality.
This tragic event adds to ongoing discussions about law enforcement practices and the treatment of minority communities during policing across the world.
Note: All information herein has been carefully reconstructed to provide an original narrative reflecting the essential facts of the case.
