Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh — Police in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district arrested four people on January 24, 2026, in connection with an alleged attack that involved injecting a doctor with blood containing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The attack, according to police, was planned and executed on January 9, 2026, in what authorities described as a deliberate act linked to personal motives.
The main accused has been identified as B. Boya Vasundhara (34) from Kurnool. The other three arrested are Konge Jyothi (40), a nurse employed at a private hospital in Adoni, and her two adult children, both in their 20s. All four were taken into custody following an investigation by Kurnool III Town Police.
Police said the victim is an assistant professor at a private medical college in Kurnool and also a practising doctor. She is the wife of Dr. S.L.R. Karun Kumar, a general surgeon. Vasundhara was previously in a relationship with Karun Kumar. Police allege she could not accept that he had married another woman and conspired to harm his wife.
According to the police complaint filed by the victim’s husband on January 10, two persons on a motorcycle deliberately rammed the doctor’s scooter near KC Canal at Vinayak Ghat at around 2.30 pm on January 9 while she was returning home for lunch after duty. The impact caused the doctor to sustain injuries. Vasundhara then approached under the pretext of offering help.
While attempting to assist her into an autorickshaw, Vasundhara allegedly injected the doctor with blood infected with HIV. The accused fled the scene after the victim raised an alarm. Police said the blood used in the injection was obtained from HIV-infected patients at a government hospital. The nurse, Konge Jyothi, reportedly secured the samples by telling hospital staff the blood was needed for research. The infected blood was later stored in a refrigerator by the accused before being used in the incident.
Police have registered a case under Sections 126(2), 118(1), 272 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Following investigation, all four accused were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
HIV exposure through contaminated blood does not guarantee infection and that HIV does not survive long outside the human body, and survival of the virus in blood samples stored for days is extremely unlikely.
However, exposure to a blood borne infection can pose health risks, and medical response involves immediate evaluation, possible post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and follow-up testing according to established needle injury protocol and healthcare worker safety procedures.
The police and medical authorities have not publicly released detailed clinical information about the victim’s current treatment but state that standard procedures are being followed.
Is HIV transmitted through injections?
HIV transmission requires direct access to the bloodstream. While HIV can be transmitted through contaminated needles or blood products, the virus does not survive long outside the body, and not all exposures lead to infection. Immediate medical evaluation is essential if exposure is suspected.
What is post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)?
Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a treatment started as soon as possible after potential exposure to HIV. PEP involves a course of antiretroviral drugs and is most effective when started within hours of exposure and continued for 28 days.
What should someone do after a potential HIV exposure?
Anyone with potential exposure to HIV should seek urgent medical care, report the incident to health authorities, and follow established needle injury and blood borne infection protocols, including PEP evaluation and repeated HIV testing over the following weeks.
(Rh/MSM)