PG medic's death: Andhra police book two for culpable homicide after car crash
The Rajamahendravaram police on Saturday registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against two individuals in connection with the death of a postgraduate medical student who was critically injured in a road accident earlier this month.
The accused, Suravarapu Daswanth and Andrew Joseph Edwards, allegedly rammed their car into a two-wheeler on the night of August 3 outside a private mall in the city. Dr. K. Priyanka, a PG student at GSL Medical College, was riding pillion on the two-wheeler and sustained grievous injuries.
According to the GSL Hospital management, Dr. Priyanka was immediately rushed to the hospital and declared brain-dead on the same day. She later died on Friday at a private hospital in Secunderabad, where she had been shifted for advanced treatment. The hospital management confirmed her death and said her family has been informed.
East Godavari Superintendent of Police D. Narasimha Kishore confirmed that a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered against the two accused. "They are currently lodged in Rajahmundry Central Prison following their remand till August 21," he said.
Section 105 of the BNS pertains to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which covers acts done with the knowledge that they are likely to cause death, but without the intent to cause death. The offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or up to ten years along with a fine. The BNS, which replaced the Indian Penal Code, came into effect in July 2024.
According to police, the investigation is ongoing. Statements from witnesses are being recorded, and the sequence of events leading to the collision is being examined. The accused were arrested soon after the incident and have been in judicial custody since then.
Dr. Priyanka, a native of Kurnool district, had enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) course at GSL Medical College in February this year. Her untimely death has deeply saddened the medical community. However, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
No further details have been released by the police at this stage. The case is being investigated by the Rajamahendravaram city police under the supervision of senior officials.
