Octogenarian industrialist stabbed 73 times by grandson over property share in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Prominent industrialist and philanthropist Velamati Chandrashekhar Janardhana Rao was brutally murdered by his grandson at his residence in Begumpet, Hyderabad allegedly over an ancestral property dispute.

According to reports, Janardhan Rao's grandson, 29-year-old Kilaru Keerthi Teja, son of his daughter Sarojini Devi, stabbed the 86-year-old industrialist 73 times with a knife and fled the scene. Following the horrific incident, Panjagutta police apprehended him.

Teja, who has taken to drugs, was reportedly quarrelling with his grandfather over the property issue for quite some time. Frustrated by the ongoing conflict, Janardhana Rao had transferred shares worth Rs. 4 crore grandson’s name.

Sarojini Devi, along with her son Teja, visited her father’s house on Thursday night. Teja once again picked an argument with his grandfather over the property. As things got escalated, he grabbed a knife and stabbed his grandfather multiple times and the industrialist died instantly.

Janardhan Rao was known for his generosity and philanthropic activities. He hailed from Kovvali village in Denduluru mandal, West Godavari district. He studied engineering and worked briefly at Hindustan Motors in Kolkata. He eventually moved to Hyderabad, and established his own industry in the Patancheru area. He founded Veljan Hydrair Limited and emerged as a successful entrepreneur in the city.

He dedicated a significant portion of his wealth to social causes. He constructed new school buildings in his native village and set up modern laboratories and furniture for students. Nearly two decades ago, he donated over Rs. 2 crore to establish a technology center at CR. Reddy College in Eluru.