Andhra chainsaw attack: Accused loses right leg; schoolgirl taken off ventilator

ANANTAPUR / BENGALURU: Two contrasting medical developments have emerged from the horrific chainsaw attack on a Class 10 schoolgirl at the Raptadu Zilla Parishad High School in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. Hemanth, the 21-year-old accused, has undergone an emergency amputation of his right leg, while the victim is showing signs of recovery after being taken off ventilator support at a Bengaluru hospital. Following the brutal assault at the school premises on October 31, Hemanth fled into the Atmakur forest area. Police tracking teams located him the next day, but when he attempted to attack circle inspector Venkateswarulu with a knife, officers opened fire in self-defense, leaving him critically injured in both legs. He was shifted under heavy security to Anantapur Government General Hospital (GGH) on Sunday night. Doctors decided on emergency surgery after bullet wounds severely compromised blood circulation to his right limb, leading to tissue necrosis and the onset of gangrene. To prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of his body, a medical team comprising vascular, orthopedic, and anesthesia specialists amputated the right leg above the knee past midnight. Doctors also operated on his left leg, which sustained severe gunshot injuries. Hemanth remains under tight police custody in a specialised ward as he recovers from surgery. Girl teken off ventilator support Meanwhile, there was encouraging news about the injured girl. Andhra Pradesh health minister Sri Satya Kumar Yadav announced that she has been taken off ventilator support. The student underwent extensive surgical procedures at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru following her emergency transfer via a green corridor. She is currently stable and recovering in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Medical personnel confirmed that she has begun responding to doctors and is able to speak one word at a time. As her condition steadily improves, doctors are gradually tapering off high-flow oxygen assistance. She is also successfully accepting nourishment delivered through a nasal tube. Owing to significant blood loss sustained during the assault, doctors administered a blood transfusion as part of her post-surgery care. To support her full physical recovery, the hospital’s physiotherapy team has initiated targeted chest exercises and limb movement routines. She remains under continuous multi-specialty monitoring, supported by a course of antibiotics, pain management medications, and other essential medical treatments. The dedicated medical team continues to track her parameters closely to ensure a smooth recovery process.