Use of restraints key focus of death in custody probes
Laine Clark |
The use of restraints will be examined in a major inquiry sparked by the death of a man who became unresponsive during a police arrest.
Gaurav Kundi, 42, died in hospital on Friday, two weeks after the early hours incident on May 29 at the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park.
The matter is being treated as a death in custody, sparking a string of investigations.
The major crime investigation branch will launch a probe to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a report prepared for the coroner.
An internal police investigation had been launched along with a Commissioner’s Inquiry.
South Australia Police confirmed on Friday use of restraints during the incident would be “closely examined” as part of the Commissioner’s Inquiry.
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the officers’ body cam footage had been reviewed.
“We can say definitively that at no time during the incident did any police officer place a knee on Mr Kundi’s neck,” he told reporters.
“And I can confirm that his head was not forced into the police vehicle … nor was his head forced into the ground during the incident.”
None of the officers involved in the arrest have been stood down from duty.
“There is nothing at this point in time that would warrant that determination,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“If information comes to light during any of the processes that indicates otherwise then that would be something that would be reconsidered at that time.”
He could not give a timeframe on how long the multiple probes would take but urged the public to keep an “open mind”.
“Police are required to step into a variety of situations and often make decisions with limited information and with limited time to fully assess the circumstances,” he said.
“It never looks good when force is used against a member of the community.
“I would just caution people to maintain an open mind until all of the information is collected.”
Commissioner Stevens said Mr Kundi’s family was being updated and supported, with some flying to Adelaide.
The Consulate General of India has been advised of Mr Kundi’s death and would be updated, he said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would not comment on the matter until the investigations had concluded.
“More broadly what I would say to the Indian community here in Australia, and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly and be assured of our friendship,” she told reporters on Friday.
AAP
