Andhra medico K. Priyanka dies after drunk-driving hit-and-run in Rajamahendravaram
Synopsis
A 28-year-old MD student was killed after two drunk youths rammed their car into her scooter three times while fleeing mall security in Rajamahendravaram. The accused face an upgraded culpable homicide charge after her death on 9 August — a case now being monitored at the Chief Minister's level.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka , 28, a first-year MD student at GSL Medical College, Rajamahendravaram , died at KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad on 9 August at 3.25 pm .
She was struck by a car driven by Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards , who were allegedly drunk, on 3 August outside a mall in Rajamahendravaram .
Police investigation found the accused hit the scooter three times while fleeing after assaulting mall staff who had denied them entry.
Charges under Section 110 BNS (Attempt to Commit Culpable Homicide) will now be upgraded to culpable homicide following her death.
Narasimha Kishore confirmed the probe is being conducted impartially on the direction of Chief Minister N.
Priyanka's body is to be taken to Eklaspur village, Gadwal district, Telangana for last rites after postmortem.
K. Priyanka, a 28-year-old postgraduate medical student who was critically injured when two allegedly drunk youths rammed their car into her scooter outside a mall in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh on 3 August, succumbed to her injuries at KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad on Sunday, 9 August. She was pronounced dead at 3.25 pm, having remained on a ventilator since the incident, with doctors having earlier declared her brain-dead.
Who Was K. Priyanka
A first-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) student at GSL Medical College in Rajamahendravaram, East Godavari district, Priyanka was a native of Eklaspur village in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana. On the night of 3 August, she was leaving the mall on a scooter with her friend Umesh when a speeding car driven by the accused struck their two-wheeler. She sustained grievous injuries and was first admitted to a local hospital before being transferred to Hyderabad, where she remained in critical condition until her death.
What the Police Investigation Found
East Godavari district Superintendent of Police D. Narasimha Kishore told reporters on Sunday that the accused — Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards — had been denied entry into the mall because they were found to be drunk. The two allegedly argued with and assaulted mall staff, and when security personnel attempted to detain them, they attempted to flee. In doing so, they drove their car recklessly at high speed, striking Priyanka's scooter at the mall gate — reportedly hitting it three times while trying to escape. The accused then fled the scene. Police received information from the hospital at 10 pm and registered a case based on the statement of Umesh, leading to the arrest of both accused.
Charges to Be Upgraded After Death
Earlier on Sunday, before Priyanka's death, police had registered a case under Section 110 (Attempt to Commit Culpable Homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against both accused. With her death confirmed, the SP stated that the section will now be altered to culpable homicide. He added that depending on the circumstances, police intend to invoke more stringent provisions to seek the harshest possible punishment. The SP also clarified that there is no political pressure on the investigation, stating that it is being conducted impartially on the direction of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Family Seeks Justice
Priyanka's father, Venkatesh, met with police officers earlier on Sunday and sought stringent action against the accused. Speaking to reporters, he said the assurances provided by police had addressed his concerns, and that the family has full faith in the investigation and the judiciary. Following the postmortem examination, Priyanka's body is to be taken to Eklaspur village in Gadwal district for the last rites.
This case has drawn sharp attention to drunk-driving incidents in public spaces and the vulnerability of bystanders in such situations. With the charges set to be upgraded and the Chief Minister's office reportedly monitoring the case, the legal proceedings in the coming weeks will be closely watched.
Point of View
Yet were still in possession of a vehicle they could drive away at high speed, points to a systemic failure in last-mile intervention. Upgrading charges to culpable homicide is legally appropriate, but the broader question — why intoxicated individuals are routinely able to access and operate vehicles outside such venues without checkpoint deterrence — remains unanswered. Chief Minister Naidu's visible involvement signals political will, but that will needs to translate into structural reform, not just a single conviction.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was K. Priyanka and what happened to her?
K. Priyanka was a 28-year-old first-year MD student at GSL Medical College, Rajamahendravaram. She was fatally injured on 3 August when two allegedly drunk youths rammed their car into her scooter outside a mall in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, and died at KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad on 9 August.
Who are the accused in the Rajamahendravaram hit-and-run case?
The accused are Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards. They were allegedly under the influence of alcohol when they struck Priyanka's scooter three times while fleeing after assaulting mall staff who had refused them entry.
What charges do the accused now face after Priyanka's death?
The accused had been charged under Section 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for attempt to commit culpable homicide. Following Priyanka's death on 9 August, police confirmed the charge will be upgraded to culpable homicide, with more stringent provisions also being considered.
What did the police investigation reveal about the incident?
East Godavari SP D. Narasimha Kishore stated that the accused hit the scooter three times while attempting to flee mall security. They had been denied entry for being drunk, then assaulted staff and drove off recklessly at high speed, striking Priyanka's scooter at the mall gate.
What has the family of K. Priyanka said about the case?
Priyanka's father Venkatesh met with police officers on 9 August and sought stringent punishment for the accused. He said the assurances given by police addressed his concerns, and that the family has full faith in the investigation and the judiciary to deliver justice.
