Rajamahendravaram medico attack: Accused booked for culpable homicide attempt
Synopsis
A night out turned fatal when two men, allegedly drunk and barred from a Rajamahendravaram mall, fled in their car and struck a medical student's scooty three times. Dr K. Priyanka, an MD student at GSL Medical College, is now brain-dead on a ventilator in Hyderabad — and police have upgraded the charge to attempt to commit culpable homicide under the BNS.
Key Takeaways
Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards have been booked under BNS Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) in Rajamahendravaram .
The accused allegedly rammed their car into a scooty three times outside a private mall on the night of 3 August while fleeing after assaulting mall staff.
Priyanka , an MD student at GSL Medical College , is on a ventilator in Hyderabad and has been declared brain-dead by doctors.
Narasimha Kishore confirmed the charges and said more stringent provisions may be invoked depending on the victim's condition.
Police stated the investigation is being conducted impartially on the directions of Chief Minister N.
Chandrababu Naidu , with no political pressure.
Police in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, have registered a case of attempt to commit culpable homicide against Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards for ramming their car into a two-wheeler outside a private mall, critically injuring PG medical student Dr K. Priyanka. The incident occurred on the night of 3 August, and the case was confirmed by police on Sunday, 9 August.
What Happened That Night
Dr Priyanka, who was pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) course at GSL Medical College, was exiting the mall with her friend Umesh, a fellow PG student, when the accused struck their scooty. According to police, Daswanth and Edwards had been denied entry into the mall by security staff after being found in an inebriated state.
The two allegedly argued with and assaulted mall staff. When security personnel attempted to detain them, they fled in their car at high speed — ramming the scooty three times, according to the police investigation. The accused then fled the scene. An injured Dr Priyanka was rushed to a local hospital; police received information from the hospital at 10 pm.
Charges Filed and Legal Provisions Invoked
East Godavari district Superintendent of Police D. Narasimha Kishore told reporters that a case under Section 110 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered against both accused. The SP indicated that more stringent provisions may be invoked depending on how the situation develops, with the aim of securing the harshest possible punishment.
The case was registered based on the statement of Umesh, after which both accused were arrested.
Condition of the Victim
Dr Priyanka remains on a ventilator at a hospital in Hyderabad. Doctors have reportedly declared her brain-dead, making her condition critical. The gravity of her injuries prompted police to upgrade the charges to Section 110 of the BNS.
Family's Plea and Political Assurances
Dr Priyanka's father, Venkatesh, met with senior police officers and demanded stringent action against the accused. He told reporters that assurances given by police had addressed his concerns, and that the family retains full faith in the investigation and the judiciary.
SP Kishore categorically stated there is no political pressure on the police, adding that the investigation is being conducted impartially on the directions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. As the victim's condition remains critical, police have signalled readiness to escalate charges further if required.
Point of View
Police have already signalled they will escalate to culpable homicide not amounting to murder or beyond. What this case also exposes is a recurring pattern: drunk driving incidents at commercial venues where private security bears the first line of responsibility, yet lacks legal authority to detain. The SP's public denial of political pressure, while reassuring on the surface, underscores how quickly such cases in Andhra Pradesh attract scrutiny over ruling-party connections. The family's measured response — expressing faith in the system rather than demanding political intervention — puts the onus squarely on the judiciary and police to deliver a conviction that matches the severity of the act.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges have been filed in the Rajamahendravaram medico attack case?
Police have registered a case under BNS Section 110, which covers attempt to commit culpable homicide, against Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards. The East Godavari SP has indicated that more stringent charges may be added depending on the victim's condition.
What is the current condition of Dr K. Priyanka?
Dr K. Priyanka, an MD student at GSL Medical College, is on a ventilator at a hospital in Hyderabad. Doctors have reportedly declared her brain-dead, making her prognosis extremely critical.
Why were the accused denied entry to the mall?
Mall security staff refused to allow Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards entry because they were found to be in an inebriated state. The two then allegedly argued with and assaulted the staff before fleeing in their car.
How did the accident occur?
According to police, the accused drove their car at high speed while trying to escape from mall security, ramming the scooty ridden by Dr Priyanka and her friend Umesh three times near the mall's gate on the night of 3 August.
What has the victim's family said about the case?
Dr Priyanka's father, Venkatesh, met police officers and demanded strict action against the accused. He told reporters that police assurances had cleared his doubts, and that the family has full faith in the investigation and the judiciary.
