Gaurav Kundi, a 42-year-old Indian-origin man, died on June 13, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia, following an incident on May 29, 2025, where police allegedly used excessive force during his arrest. Kundi’s wife, Amritpal Kaur, claimed that officers pinned him down on Payneham Road, with one officer kneeling on his neck, leading to severe brain and nerve damage. She stated the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding, as Kundi was intoxicated and loud but not violent, and police mistook their argument for domestic violence. Video footage captured Kundi protesting, saying, “I’ve done nothing wrong,” while Kaur pleaded with officers. Kundi became unresponsive during the arrest, was hospitalized, and later died from an “unrecoverable” brain injury.
South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens defended the officers, stating bodycam footage showed no knee was applied to Kundi’s neck, though Kaur alleged his head was slammed against a police vehicle and the road. The incident has sparked comparisons to the 2020 George Floyd case, prompting outrage and calls for a transparent investigation from the Indian community and civil rights advocates. A commissioner’s inquiry is underway, alongside an internal police investigation, to review the use of force and police training.
Image: Police Minister Stephen Mullighan (Source: Facebook)
George Floyd case
The George Floyd case refers to the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black American man, on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face-down, pleading, “I can’t breathe.” Floyd became unresponsive and died at the scene. The incident was captured on video by bystanders, sparking global outrage, protests, and discussions about systemic racism and police brutality.
Gaurav Kundi has had his life support turned off at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was being treated for severe brain and neck nerve injuries.
Indian Australian community demands answers
Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. In April 2021, he was convicted on all counts and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. Three other officers involved—Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao—were convicted of federal charges for violating Floyd’s civil rights and received sentences ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 years. The case led to widespread calls for police reform, defunding movements, and changes in law enforcement practices across the U.S. and beyond.
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