Police Face Questions Over Procedural Lapses in Dr Priyanka Mishap Ca

Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh Police are facing questions over alleged procedural lapses in handling the case of PG medical student Dr K. Priyanka, who was seriously injured in a road accident on August 3.

Allegations are that political leaders linked to the sand mafia attempted to influence the case.

According to the FIR registered at 1.30 am on August 4, based on a complaint by Venuthurumalli Venkata Durga Sai Umesh, the accident occurred at 9.40 pm on August 3. Umesh said he and Priyanka were admitted to a private hospital in Rajamahendravaram, East Godavari district.

Two accused, Suravarapu Daswanth alias Yashwanth, who was allegedly driving the car, and Dasabathula Andrew Joseph Edwards, were arrested on August 6.

Legal experts and members of the medical fraternity questioned the delay in their arrest and the failure to immediately establish whether or not they were driving under the influence of alcohol.

They also questioned why the police did not initially seek custody of the accused to question them about the incident. Police later filed a petition seeking three days' custody of the two accused.

Allegations are that some political leaders associated with the sand mafia attempted to dilute the case by allegedly influencing the police officer monetary inducements. Legal experts and members of the medical fraternity have sought CCTV footage from Prakashnagar police station and the call data records of the police officer establish whether any such incident occurred at all.

East Godavari SP Narasimha Kishore said, “We could not identify the accused immediately. This could be done later only. Hence, they were not sent for a medical test to find out whether they had consumed liquor. As for allegations of bribing the police officer, give us evidence so that we will act.”

Meanwhile, the AP government doctors association condemned the incident and demanded strict legal action against those responsible. It also sought stringent implementation of the drunk-driving laws and road safety measures and better safety and security for doctors.

AP government doctors association president Dr D. Jayadheer said, “We feel there is a lacunae on the part of the police in handling the case. We demand that all procedures adopted therein be made public. We also want to know whether blood samples of the accused were sent for medical test to ascertain the alcohol content.”