Andhra chainsaw attack: Accused Hemanth’s right leg amputated, Class 10 victim recovering

The right leg of Hemanth, accused of attacking a Class 10 girl with a chainsaw at her school in Andhra Pradesh’s Raptadu town, was amputated at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Anantapur in the early hours of Tuesday. The surgery followed severe complications from bullet injuries he sustained during an encounter with the police.

Meanwhile, the girl, who suffered critical injuries in Saturday’s attack, is gradually recovering at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru. Doctors have removed her ventilator support, and she has started responding to medical staff.

Accused undergoes amputation after gangrene develops

GGH superintendent and additional director of medical education Dr D Malleshwari said doctors amputated Hemanth’s right leg above the knee after blood circulation to the affected portion stopped, leading to gangrene.

The medical team warned that leaving the infected tissue untreated could damage surrounding tissues and pose a serious threat to his life. Malleshwari said the procedure was carried out on the court’s direction.

Doctors also operated on Hemanth’s left leg after finding damage to blood vessels in that limb. Following the procedures, he was shifted from the operating theatre to the Acute Medical Care (AMC) unit, where treatment is continuing.

“His health condition is currently stable,” Malleshwari said.

Police invoke attempt to murder, SC/ST Act provisions

The police have registered several serious charges against Hemanth in connection with the attack on the schoolgirl, an official said.

He has been booked under Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for attempt to murder. Section 118(1) was subsequently invoked for allegedly causing injuries to the girl’s face and back with a chainsaw, while Section 333 was added for allegedly trespassing into the school premises and attacking her with a dangerous weapon.

Further provisions were incorporated after another student, who sustained serious injuries while trying to rescue the victim, lodged a complaint.

“Further, a case has been registered under Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on the complaint filed by the injured student,” the police said.

The charges carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment, depending on the findings of the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.

Victim responds to doctors after ventilator support removed

The Class 10 student’s condition is gradually improving at Manipal Hospital, where she is being treated for critical injuries sustained in the attack.

State health and medical education minister Y Satya Kumar said doctors had removed her ventilator following a surgical procedure. She has begun responding to medical staff and can speak a few words, gradually answering doctors’ questions and following their instructions.

Doctors are also reducing the high-flow oxygen support being provided to her in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Satya Kumar said she was responding well to nutritional support administered through a feeding tube inserted through her nose. She was also given a blood transfusion after developing anaemia.

The medical team has started physiotherapy to improve the movement of her limbs and facilitate chest exercises. She continues to receive antibiotics, pain-relief medication and other supportive treatment, while doctors closely monitor her vital parameters and overall condition.

High Court petition seeks independent probe into police firing

Separately, a petition was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday seeking an independent investigation into the police firing on Hemanth in the Atmakur forest area of Anantapur district and the alleged mishandling of him after he sustained bullet injuries.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Lisa Gill agreed to take up the matter later on Tuesday.

The petitioner, Gunda Gopikrishna, sought a declaration that the alleged firing of six rounds by police personnel and the subsequent dragging and improper handling of the injured accused while he was being shifted to hospital were illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The petition, seen by HT, also sought a direction for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case and conduct an independent, impartial and time-bound investigation into the entire incident, without interference or influence from state police authorities.

The petitioner further sought appropriate legal action against anyone found responsible for wrongdoing, arguing that an independent probe was necessary in the interests of justice and the larger public interest.