MADURAI: The Madurai police have arrested an assistant administrative officer Ram (40) in connection with the death of a senior woman manager Kalyani Nambi (54) in a fire at a Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) office in Madurai last month, stating that the incident was a case of murder carried out by Ram to avoid getting caught in insurance claim irregularities.
Ram, a resident of Andalpuram in Madurai, was arrested by Thilagar Thidal police after investigations found that he allegedly poured petrol over senior branch manager Kalyani and set her on fire inside the LIC branch office opposite the Madurai railway station on December 17. Kalyani died of severe burns.
Police said Ram also suffered burn injuries in his attempt to pass off the incident as an accident by dousing himself with petrol. However, inconsistencies in his statements, CCTV footage and forensic evidence led to his arrest nearly a month after the incident. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Madurai Government Hospital after complaining of chest pain.
On December 17, the fire broke out around 8 pm, destroying office records among other things. Initially registered as a fire accident, the case took a turn after the victim’s son, Lakshmi Narayanan, lodged a complaint alleging foul play.
He told police that his mother had called him on the phone shortly before the incident, asking him to call the police and that the office room was found locked with an iron chain, which was unusual.
During questioning, Ram allegedly gave contradicting versions, including a claim that a masked intruder had stolen jewellery and set the manager on fire. Police said he later confessed during sustained interrogation.
According to investigators, Kalyani, who was promoted and transferred from Tirunelveli to Madurai in May last year, had detected irregularities in the settlement of insurance claims while scrutinising records.
She had warned Ram of disciplinary action and was preparing to report the matter to higher authorities. Police said Kalyani had caught him attempting to destroy documents to conceal the irregularities.
The accused allegedly poured petrol on the senior manager and burnt her alive. He reportedly poured petrol on him as well not to raise suspicion, and he suffered burn injuries in his legs.
(With online desk inputs)