Rajahmundry Police Alter Charges to Attempted Culpable Homicide in Medico Case

Police in Rajahmundry have altered charges in a hit-and-run case involving a postgraduate medical student to attempt to commit culpable homicide. The victim, Dr Kanike Priyanka, a first-year PG dermatology student, was declared brain-dead and passed away on Sunday after being run over by two intoxicated men driving an SUV near Prasaditya Mall on August 3.

According to East Godavari Superintendent of Police D Narasimha Kishore, the case was initially registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 125 for a rash or negligent act that endangers human life. Following a thorough examination of CCTV footage, witness statements, and medical evidence, investigators revised the charges to Section 110 read with Section 3(5) of the BNS for attempt to commit culpable homicide.

The incident took place as Dr Priyanka and her friend, V Venkata Durga Sai Umesh, were exiting Prasaditya Mall on a two-wheeler after watching a movie. Umesh, 28, a first-year MD radiology student at GSL Medical College, filed the initial complaint with the police.

Before the crash, the two accused arrived at the mall in an intoxicated state to watch a movie. When the mall security staff denied them entry due to their condition, the men engaged in an altercation.

Dr Priyanka suffered grievous injuries to her head and face in the collision. She battled for her life in the hospital for nearly a week before being declared brain-dead and succumbing to her injuries.