Madurai LIC Branch Manager Murder: Fire Initially Reported as Accident, Investigation Reveals Shocking Conspiracy

A shocking revelation has emerged from Madurai after a fire at the LIC office last December, which initially appeared to be an accidental blaze but later turned out to be a premeditated murder. The incident claimed the life of Branch Manager A. Kalyani Nambi, while Assistant Manager D. Ram suffered severe burns.

Incident Details

The fire occurred on the night of December 17 at the LIC building on West Veli Street, specifically on the second floor. Senior Branch Manager Kalyani Nambi (54), a resident of Ponmeni, tragically died in the fire, while Assistant Manager D. Ram (46) was hospitalized for burns but later discharged.

Initial reports suggested that a masked intruder had attempted to loot Kalyani’s jewelry, setting the office on fire in the process. However, subsequent investigation revealed discrepancies in Ram’s statements, raising suspicion of a planned attack rather than an accidental fire.

Premeditated Murder Uncovered

Police recovered bottles containing petrol from Ram’s cabin, along with a tube used for transferring fuel from his motorcycle. Further evidence emerged when Kalyani’s son informed authorities that his mother had called him that night, urging him to alert the police—indicating that she sensed danger.

The motive behind the murder was linked to 40 pending insurance claim files. Investigations found that certain agents had complained to Kalyani about Ram deliberately delaying over 40 death claims. Kalyani confronted Ram regarding the pending files and reportedly threatened to escalate the matter to senior authorities. This confrontation is believed to have prompted Ram to plan her murder and destroy the files.

Method of Attack

On the night of the incident, Ram cut the main electricity supply to the building and sent an email to TNEB, falsely reporting a power issue to facilitate his plan. He also chained the main glass door to the lobby, restricting access. When Kalyani sensed danger and called for help, Ram allegedly doused her with petrol in her cabin and set it on fire, engulfing the office in flames. Ram also attempted to burn his own cabin to stage the incident as an accident, suffering burns in the process.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

During interrogation, Ram confessed to the murder. Police arrested him from his residence and admitted him to Rajaji Government Hospital for treatment. The Thilagar Thidal Police subsequently charged him under Section 103(1) (murder), Sections 238–240 (tampering with evidence and providing false information), and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.

This case, initially reported as an unfortunate fire, has now revealed a meticulously planned murder, highlighting both the extent of the crime and the lengths taken to destroy critical records.