A man of Indian origin is on life support following a violent police encounter in Adelaide, prompting serious concerns over alleged police brutality and racial profiling in Australia.
Gaurav Kundi, 42, a father of two, suffered critical brain injuries during an early-morning incident in the city’s eastern suburbs. According to his partner, Amritpal Kaur, the couple had been arguing near Payneham Road when police arrived, apparently believing the situation to be a domestic violence incident. Kaur maintains that Kundi was not violent, only intoxicated and loud, and she attempted to clarify the misunderstanding to officers on the scene.
Despite her pleas, police proceeded to arrest Kundi. In footage recorded by Kaur, he is seen resisting and shouting, “I’ve done nothing wrong,” while officers force him to the ground. Kaur can be heard protesting the arrest, crying out in distress, and accusing the officers of acting unfairly. She later claimed she stopped recording out of panic when one of the officers allegedly pressed a knee into Kundi’s neck a tactic horrifyingly reminiscent of the deadly arrest of George Floyd in the U.S. in 2020.
Gaurav Kundi Became Unresponsive After Confrontation
Following the confrontation, Kundi reportedly became unresponsive. His head was allegedly struck against both the road and the police vehicle during the arrest, according to Kaur. He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where medical professionals confirmed severe trauma to his brain and injuries to his neck nerves. He remains in a coma, with doctors warning that recovery is uncertain. “Maybe he will wake up if his brain works, or maybe he will not,” Kaur told reporters.
Police have claimed that Kundi “violently resisted” arrest, leading to the use of force. However, Kaur insists her partner posed no threat and was simply drunk, not abusive. She has remained by his side at the hospital since the incident, hoping for a positive outcome.
In response to the seriousness of Kundi’s condition, South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens initiated a high-level internal inquiry. “Given the significant injuries this man has already suffered and the potential for an adverse outcome, I have decided to conduct a Commissioner’s enquiry rather than wait,” he said.
Investigation Ongoing in the Matter
Initial reviews of officer body-worn camera footage were conducted by Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia, who expressed satisfaction with the actions of at least one officer involved. He noted, however, that it was only one part of the evidence and the investigation remains ongoing.
Premier Peter Malinauskas has publicly defended police actions, stating that officers face difficult situations and deserve public support. As of now, no officers have been suspended or charged.
The incident has sparked an outcry from the Indian community and civil rights advocates who are drawing parallels to past cases of excessive policing. The similarities to the George Floyd case have raised fresh concerns about how law enforcement handles arrests involving minority communities.
