India: Grandson stabs Andhra industrialist Velamati Chandrasekhar 73 times over property dispute

Hyderabad: Hyderabad police have arrested Keerthi Teja, 29, the grandson of Andhra industrialist Velamati Chandrasekhar Janardhan Rao, for his brutal murder over a property dispute.

Janardhan Rao, 86, the head of the Veljan Group of Companies, was murdered at his residence in Somajiguda, Hyderabad, on Thursday night. The crime came to light late Saturday after police arrested his grandson.

According to investigators, Keerthi Teja — who recently returned from the US after completing his Master’s degree — stabbed his grandfather 73 times following a heated argument over property.

Janardhan Rao, who hailed from Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, had recently appointed his eldest daughter’s son, Srikrishna, as Director of Veljan Group and transferred shares worth ₹4 crore to Keerthi Teja, the son of his second daughter, Sarojini Devi.

On Thursday, Sarojini Devi and her son visited Janardhan Rao’s residence. A dispute arose between Rao and Keerthi Teja over property distribution. Alleging unfair treatment, Keerthi Teja pulled out a knife he had brought with him and repeatedly stabbed his grandfather.

Sarojini Devi, who had gone into the kitchen to prepare tea, rushed back upon hearing the commotion and attempted to intervene. Keerthi Teja allegedly attacked her as well, inflicting four stab wounds.

The accused then threatened the security guard, who had witnessed the crime, before fleeing the scene.

On Saturday, Panjagutta police registered a case of murder and launched an investigation. Keerthi Teja was arrested, produced before a court, and sent to judicial custody.

Police suspect he may be a drug addict and are conducting further inquiries.

Beyond his business achievements, Janardhan Rao was widely known for his philanthropy. He had made significant donations to the Government General Hospital in Eluru and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).