“It was only two weeks ago that we had seen off my son at this airport”, said a sobbing Shankaraiah. He thanked the state government for arranging to bring the body back from Johannesburg. The District Superintendent of Police VC Sajjanar and district collector N Sridhar were among the people who paid tributes to the 28-year-old techie who fell prey to a gang of robbers.

Meanwhile, Kiran’s friend Sridhar, who was also injured in the firing, was still recuperating in the hospital. Sridhar hails from Rajahmundry in East Godavari district. According to family sources, Sridhar was to come to India just two days after the attack; the robbers had snatched away his handbag containing his passport and ticket. Initially, the robbers had not opened fire at him but they fired when he pleaded that they return the bag as it contained his ticket and passport.

Kiran was wounded on July 2 and later died in hospital.