Less than a month after the death of serial entrepreneur and Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha, his father Gangaiah Hegde passed away on Sunday in Gopala Gowda Shanthaveri Memorial Hospital in Mysuru. Gangaiah Hegde, 95, was in a coma for a prolonged period of time and was unaware of his son’s death.
The family hailed from Chikkamagaluru district, the central part of Karnataka also known as Malnad, which is famed for its scenic hills, waterfalls, coffee estates and other plantations. Owners of coffee estate down the generations, Siddhartha’s family has been in the coffee growing business for 130 years.
Gangaiah’s last rites will be performed in their native village on Monday.
Shortly before his death, Siddhartha had visited his father on July 27 as he would regularly do. The death of Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha as confirmed by Mangaluru police on July 31 morning has left many in shock. His body was found at 6.30 am around 9 km from the spot where he went missing near a bridge on the Netravati river, more than 24 hours after a multi-department rescue operation began.
Siddhartha was reported missing on July 29 evening after he had told his driver that he was going to take a walk. His driver panicked when he did not return in an hour, and informed the family
He had allegedly jumped off into the Nethravathi river and police have so far ruled out any foul play in his death.
Siddhartha had taken over their traditional coffee business from his father. It was Gangaiah who had loaned him some money to start his CCD venture from scratch.
The Coffee Day Group has interests in coffee retailing, logistics, technology parks (SEZ and STP scheme), financial services and investments in technology and software companies
Siddhartha gained further prominence as he was the son in law of BJP leader and former CM of Karnataka SM Krishna, a long time Congress man.