Handed life term for employee’s murder, Saravana Bhavan founder P Rajagopal dies

In 2004, a lower court convicted Rajagopal and eight others, and sentenced him to 10 years in jail. But the Madras High Court enhanced his punishment to life term in 2009, following an appeal by the state government. Five others were handed life terms in the case, while three got three years in jail.

Rajagopal challenged his conviction in the Supreme Court, which, in March, upheld the life term. According to the Supreme Court’s order, Rajagopal was supposed to surrender on July 7, but he sought further extension of his stay at a private hospital, citing medical grounds. The Supreme Court rejected his plea on July 9, and Rajagopal surrendered before a city court the same day.

Explained | Saravana Bhavan case: The obsession that destroyed ‘dosa king’ Rajagopal

He was later admitted to Stanley Medical College as his health deteriorated. He was suffering from age-related problems besides cardiac ailments, hypertension and diabetes, said a doctor who confirmed his death on Thursday. On Tuesday, he was shifted to Vijaya Health Centre, a private facility, following a High Court order after his son filed an appeal.

Rajagopal, who earlier worked in a tea-shop and grocery store, opened his first restaurant at K K Nagar in Chennai in 1981. Since then, the Saravana Bhavan chain has expanded to cities across the country, and overseas.

Six years ago, Rajagopal penned his autobiography, I set my heart on victory, in which he wrote about how he ensured the welfare of his employees and even banned their late night outings, fearing it would affect their work the next day.