What was initially believed to be a tragic case of accidental snakebite in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has now been exposed as a carefully planned murder. The death of 56-year-old E P Ganesan, a government school laboratory assistant, has led to the arrest of his two sons and four accomplices after investigators uncovered a conspiracy driven by life insurance payouts worth nearly ₹3 crore.

Ganesan was found dead at his residence in Pothaturpettai village on October 22. His family reported that he had succumbed to a snakebite, and police initially registered a case of accidental death based on a complaint from his son. “The sons had insured their dad for nearly three crore rupees,” Superintendent of Police, Tiruvallur, Vivekananda Shukla said.

Insurance Claims Raise Red Flags

The case took a dramatic turn when an insurance company, while processing multiple claims filed by the family, flagged serious irregularities. Officials noted that Ganesan had been insured for an unusually large amount, disproportionate to the family’s income. The insurer also found the conduct of the beneficiaries suspicious and alerted senior police officials, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Superintendent of Police Vivekananda Shukla confirmed that the deceased had been covered by policies totalling nearly ₹3 crore, an amount that immediately raised doubts about the true cause of death.

A Failed First Attempt

During the probe, investigators uncovered that the alleged murder was not a one-time act. About a week before Ganesan’s death, the accused had reportedly arranged for a cobra to bite him while he slept. That attempt failed when neighbours rushed him to hospital, saving his life. At the time, the incident was dismissed as an unfortunate accident.

Deadly Second Plan

Undeterred, the conspirators escalated their plan. On the night of October 22, they allegedly brought a highly venomous Indian krait into the house during the early hours. The snake was deliberately released to bite Ganesan at a fatal spot. To reinforce the appearance of an accidental intrusion, the snake was later killed inside the house. Investigators also noted an unexplained delay in taking the victim to hospital, further strengthening suspicions of a premeditated crime.

Trail of Calls and Cash

Police analysis of call detail records and financial transactions revealed links between Ganesan’s sons, Mohanraj (26) and Hariharan (27), and four other men from Manavur village. Suspicious money transfers and frequent communication helped establish the wider conspiracy. The four accomplices allegedly helped procure the snakes and stage the scene to resemble an accident.

Arrests and Ongoing Probe

So far, six people, including the two sons and four facilitators, have been arrested. Police say the family had also taken multiple loans, adding to the financial motive behind the crime. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if others were involved or if similar insurance-related frauds exist.

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