A 28-year-old man stabbed his industrialist grandfather to death in Hyderabad over a property dispute, police said. VC Janardhan Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of the ₹460-crore Veljan Group of Companies, was killed in the attack. His company specializes in hydraulics, shipbuilding, energy, and industrial applications.
The accused, Keerthi Teja, had recently returned from the US after completing his postgraduate studies. He, along with his mother, Sarojini Devi, spent Thursday night at his grandfather’s place in Hyderabad. An argument flared over a directorship in the company during that time. Mr. Rao had elevated his eldest daughter’s son, Srikrishna, to the position of a director in Veljan Group while transferring shares worth ₹4 crore to Teja, son of his second daughter, Sarojini. Teja reportedly told the police that he felt unfairly treated and raised complaints of having been neglected since childhood.
Out of anger, he allegedly drew out a knife he had with him and stabbed his grandfather several times. Several reports indicate he inflicted more than 70 stab wounds, but the police stated that the actual number will be confirmed by the autopsy report. When his mother tried to intervene, Teja stabbed her too, leaving her with four injuries. She is currently hospitalized. Armed with the weapons, Teja allegedly threatened the security guard who witnessed the attack before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested, presented in court, and sent to judicial custody. The authorities have launched an investigation about it, and according to some reports, he might have been under the influence of drugs. Mr. Rao was also known for his philanthropic contributions, donating large sums to the Government General Hospital in Eluru and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.