ITI management feud turns deadly in Bapatla district

A long-standing dispute over the management of a private Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Bapatla district turned violent on Friday, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured in a stabbing incident in Epurupalem village of Chirala mandal.

According to Bapatla District Police Superintendent B. Umamaheswar Rao, the attack arose out of an ongoing dispute over the management and administration of the institution, which is currently under resolution in court.

The incident took place at Sri Kommanaboina Brahmanaidu Memorial ITI in Epurupalem. According to the complaint filed by 63-year-old Kukka Beeraiah, a member of the general body of the institution, ITI was established in 2011 and was previously owned by Sk. Abdul Sattar served as Director and was also a member of the management community.

Disagreements over the management of the institution led Abdul Sattar to file a civil suit against some general body members, police said. The case was dismissed by a civil court in Ongole in 2019. A new general body was subsequently formed and Abdul Sattar was suspended from his position as Director in December 2025 due to allegations of financial misconduct. Katakam Venkata Purna Seshaiah was later appointed as Principal.

On Friday, general assembly member Sk. Hussain and Principal Seshaiah reportedly visited the institute and found Abdul Sattar sitting in the principal’s chair. Allegedly, a dispute arose over the institution’s management and financial records.

During the argument, Abdul Sattar allegedly stabbed Seshaiah in the stomach with a knife. When Hussain tried to intervene, Abdul Sattar’s son Sk. Jilani allegedly restrained him, enabling the accused to stab Hussain in the chest and abdomen, police said.

Both the victims were taken to the District Hospital in Chirala. While Hussain died due to his injuries while receiving treatment, Seshaiah was transferred to a private hospital and his condition is critical.

The police registered a case under Sections 103(1) and 109(1) read with section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Chirala Rural Police Station. Abdul Sattar and Jilani have been taken into custody and investigation is ongoing, the SP said.