ITI management feud turns deadly in Bapatla district

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

According to Bapatla District Superintendent of Police B. Umamaheswar Rao, the attack stemmed from an ongoing dispute over the management and administration of the institution, a matter that is already under adjudication in a court.

The incident occurred at Sri Kommanaboina Brahmanaidu Memorial ITI in Epurupalem. According to the complaint lodged by Kukka Beeraiah, 63, a member of the institution’s general body, the ITI was established in 2011 and was earlier headed by Sk. Abdul Sattar, who served as Principal and was also a member of the managing society.

Police said disputes over the institution’s administration had led Abdul Sattar to file a civil suit against certain general body members. The suit was dismissed by a civil court in Ongole in 2019. Subsequently, a new general body was constituted, and Abdul Sattar was suspended from the post of Principal in December 2025 over allegations of financial misappropriation. Katakam Venkata Purna Seshaiah was later appointed Principal.

On Friday, general body member Sk. Hussain and Principal Seshaiah reportedly visited the institute and found Abdul Sattar occupying the Principal’s chair. An argument allegedly broke out over the administration of the institution and its financial records.

During the altercation, Abdul Sattar allegedly stabbed Seshaiah in the abdomen with a knife. When Hussain attempted 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 victims were rushed to the Area Hospital in Chirala. Hussain succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment, while Seshaiah was shifted to a private hospital and remains in critical condition.

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