Hyderabad: Prominent industrialist Velamati Janardhan Rao was tragically murdered by his grandson, Kilara Keerthiteja, due to a dispute over property. The incident took place on Thursday night at Janardhan Rao’s residence in Somajiguda, Hyderabad. Police arrested Keerthiteja on Saturday in connection with the crime.
Janardhan Rao, a resident of Somajiguda for several years, had recently appointed his elder daughter’s son, Srikanth, as a director at his company, Veljan, and transferred Rs 4 crore worth of shares to his younger daughter’s son, Keerthiteja. This led to growing tensions over the distribution of family assets.
On the night of the murder, Sarojinidevi, Janardhan Rao’s daughter, visited his home with her son, Keerthiteja. During an argument regarding the property transfers, Keerthiteja attacked his grandfather with a knife, stabbing him 73 times. When Sarojinidevi attempted to intervene, Keerthiteja turned the knife on her, stabbing her four times. Security guard Veerababu tried to stop the attack but was warned away by the accused, who then fled the scene.
Upon receiving information about the crime, police promptly registered a case and initiated a search for Keerthiteja. He was arrested in Panjagutta and remanded into custody. Sarojinidevi is currently undergoing treatment for her injuries at a hospital in Jubilee Hills.
Police have expressed suspicions that Keerthiteja may have been under the influence of narcotics at the time of the attack. Janardhan Rao was known for his philanthropic efforts, having donated Rs 40 crore to the Eluru Government Hospital and an additional Rs 40 crore to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.