Hyderabad Industrialist Stabbed to Death by Grandson Over Property Dispute

GG News Bureau
Hyderabad, 10th Feb. VC Janardhan Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of the ₹460-crore Veljan Group of Companies, was stabbed to death by his 28-year-old grandson, Keerthi Teja, during an argument over a company position, Hyderabad police said.

Teja, who had recently returned from the US after completing his postgraduate studies, visited his grandfather’s home on Thursday night with his mother, Sarojini Devi. The dispute arose after Rao appointed his eldest daughter’s son, Srikrishna, as a director in Veljan Group while transferring shares worth ₹4 crore to Teja, the son of his second daughter. Feeling sidelined, Teja accused his grandfather of unfair treatment and neglect since childhood.

During the heated argument, Teja lost his temper and allegedly stabbed Rao multiple times with a knife he had brought with him. While police confirmed multiple stab wounds, reports suggest he was stabbed over 70 times. When his mother attempted to intervene, Teja attacked her as well, inflicting four knife wounds. She has been hospitalized.

After the attack, Teja threatened the security guard who witnessed the incident and fled but was later arrested. He was produced in court and sent to judicial custody. Some reports suggest Teja was under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack.

Janardhan Rao was widely known for his philanthropy, making significant donations to the Government General Hospital in Eluru and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Police have launched a detailed investigation into the case.