Medico's death: Police to seek custody of two accused for deeper probe
East Godavari Superintendent of Police D. Narasimha Kishore announced on Sunday that the police will file a petition in court seeking the custody of Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards for further investigation into the death of medical student Karake Priyanka.
The two accused were remanded in judicial custody on August 7, until August 21, for allegedly hitting Dr. Priyanka with a car while in an inebriated condition at a mall in Rajamahendravaram on August 3. According to police, the accused struck her twice before running over her while she was riding pillion on a two-wheeler.
Dr. Priyanka, a native of Kurnool district, was declared brain-dead at G.S.L. Hospital in Rajamahendravaram on the same day. She later died on August 7 at a private hospital in Secunderabad, as confirmed by G.S.L. Hospital authorities. She had enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) course at G.S.L. Medical College in February 2026.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Mr. Narasimha Kishore said the police would seek the custody of the two accused to further investigate the case. “As per the preliminary probe, Dr. Priyanka and the accused were not known to each other,” he stated.
Daswanth, who was driving the car, holds an engineering degree and was preparing to go abroad. Edwards, the other accused, operates lorries on hire, the SP said.
The case was registered under the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder as of August 9. “The charges will be altered based on the findings of the further investigation,” Mr. Narasimha Kishore added.
Meanwhile, Home Minister V. Anitha expressed grief over Priyanka's death on Sunday. Ms. Anitha said the government would stand by Priyanka’s family and extend all possible support during this difficult time. In a statement, she described Priyanka’s death as deeply distressing and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Strongly condemning the incident, Ms. Anitha noted that the police had already arrested the accused and remanded them in judicial custody. She assured that strict action would be taken against all those responsible for the medical student’s death.
