Medico brain-dead after drunk youths run over her at Rajamahendravaram mall
Synopsis
A postgraduate medical student is brain-dead after a drunk youth allegedly ran over her — twice — with a car outside a Rajamahendravaram mall. The accused had just been denied entry for being intoxicated and reportedly misbehaved with staff before the vehicle struck the victim near the gate. CCTV footage went viral two days after the incident, forcing the case into public view.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka , a 28-year-old postgraduate student at GSL Medical College , was declared brain-dead after being run over outside a mall in Rajamahendravaram , East Godavari district .
The incident occurred on Tuesday but came to light on Thursday after CCTV footage spread on social media.
The car allegedly struck the victim's scooty twice — the second impact running over her and causing severe head injuries.
Two engineering college students, Suravarapu Daswant and Andrew Joseph Edwards , have been arrested; both were allegedly drunk.
The duo had been denied entry to the mall for being intoxicated and reportedly misbehaved with staff before the incident.
A second case has been filed against the accused for their alleged misconduct with mall staff.
A 28-year-old postgraduate medical student was declared brain-dead after she was allegedly run over by a car driven by a drunk youth at a mall in Rajamahendravaram, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Police have arrested two engineering students in connection with the incident, which occurred on Tuesday but came to public attention on Thursday after CCTV footage circulated widely on social media.
How the Incident Unfolded
Priyanka, a postgraduate student at GSL Medical College, was riding pillion on a scooty with a friend as they exited the mall near its main gate. A car struck the bike from behind. Even as the rider and security guards attempted to respond, the vehicle rammed into the bike a second time, running over Priyanka and inflicting severe head injuries. The car then sped away as guards and bystanders raised an alarm.
Priyanka was rushed to a local hospital and subsequently transferred to Hyderabad, where doctors declared her brain-dead.
Who Was Arrested
Police identified the two arrested youths as Suravarapu Daswant, who was allegedly driving the car, and Andrew Joseph Edwards. Both are students at an engineering college in Namavaram, near Rajamahendravaram.
According to police, the duo had arrived at the mall to watch a film but were denied entry because they were allegedly intoxicated. They reportedly misbehaved with mall staff before leaving the premises — and subsequently allegedly ran over Priyanka near the gate.
What the Police Said
Deputy Commissioner of Police A. Subhash confirmed that both youths have been arrested and that a case has been registered against them for the incident involving Priyanka. A separate case has also been filed for their alleged rude behaviour with mall staff.
Wider Context
This incident comes amid growing public concern over drunk driving in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. The fact that CCTV footage of the incident circulated on social media before it was formally reported underscores how citizen documentation is increasingly driving accountability in such cases. The severity of Priyanka's injuries — brain death following a deliberate or reckless second impact — has drawn sharp reactions from medical community groups and the public alike.
As Priyanka remains brain-dead in a Hyderabad hospital, the case is expected to draw scrutiny over mall security protocols and law enforcement response time.
Point of View
Via CCTV footage on social media rather than a police press release, raises uncomfortable questions about how quickly authorities acted. Andhra Pradesh has seen repeated drunk-driving tragedies, and each time the public conversation focuses on arrests rather than on the systemic gaps — inadequate mall exit safety infrastructure, lax enforcement of public intoxication, and slow first-responder escalation — that allow these incidents to recur.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Priyanka, the medico declared brain-dead in Rajamahendravaram?
Priyanka is a 28-year-old postgraduate student at GSL Medical College who was riding pillion on a scooty outside a mall in Rajamahendravaram when she was allegedly run over by a car driven by a drunk youth. She sustained severe head injuries and was declared brain-dead after being transferred to a hospital in Hyderabad.
Who has been arrested in the Rajamahendravaram mall drunk driving case?
Police have arrested Suravarapu Daswant, who was allegedly driving the car, and Andrew Joseph Edwards. Both are students at an engineering college in Namavaram, near Rajamahendravaram, and were allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Why did the incident come to light two days later?
The incident occurred on Tuesday but became public knowledge on Thursday after CCTV footage from the mall was widely circulated on social media. It was the viral spread of the footage, rather than an official announcement, that brought the case to broader attention.
What exactly happened outside the mall?
According to police, the accused had been denied entry to the mall for being drunk and allegedly misbehaved with staff before leaving. Their car then struck Priyanka's scooty from behind near the main gate. When the rider and security guards tried to react, the car rammed the bike a second time, running over Priyanka before speeding away.
What cases have been registered against the accused?
Deputy Commissioner of Police A. Subhash confirmed that a case has been registered against both youths for the incident that left Priyanka brain-dead. A separate case has also been filed for their alleged rude and disorderly behaviour with mall staff prior to the accident.
