In a shocking incident near Thanjavur, a 38-year-old BJP functionary, B. Saranya, was brutally beheaded by an armed gang on 5 May 2025. The incident has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu. Saranya, a former women’s wing secretary for the BJP in Madurai, had previously made headlines in 2022 for allegedly throwing footwear at Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan’s vehicle during an event near Madurai.
On 6 May, three individuals—including Saranya’s stepson—surrendered to police in Madurai, admitting their involvement in the murder. Investigators have dismissed any political motive, instead attributing the crime to a long-standing domestic dispute.
Originally from Madurai, Saranya had moved to Udayasuriyapuram village in Thanjavur district with her second husband, Balan. The couple, who married in 2023, operated a photocopy shop and a travel agency in the area. On 5 May night, around 9 p.m., Saranya was walking home after closing her shop when a group of armed assailants ambushed and killed her just meters from her residence.
After she failed to return home, concerned family members began searching for her—only to find her lifeless, decapitated body nearby. Her remains were sent to Pattukottai Government Hospital for autopsy. Thanjavur Superintendent of Police R. Rajaram confirmed that the killing stemmed from a family feud.
In the 2022 incident, Saranya was among nine individuals arrested for throwing a slipper at then Finance Minister PTR’s car while he was leaving after paying respects to a martyred soldier. She was later granted bail.
Police say that tensions escalated in Saranya’s household over property disputes. Her stepson, B. Kapilan, allegedly grew resentful after she opposed dividing her husband Balan’s assets to include him. Along with two accomplices—Parthiban and Gugan—Kapilan is said to have plotted and executed the murder.
All three accused surrendered in a Madurai court and confessed to the crime. A police team has since been dispatched to take them into custody.
Summary of Recent Murders in Tamil Nadu In 2025 Alone
Let’s take a look at the murders that took place in the state in the past few months.
- 1 May – An elderly couple, Ramasamy (75) and Bhakiyammal (65), who lived alone in a farmhouse near Sivagiri in Erode were found murdered. The assailants also stole 12 sovereigns of gold jewellery from their home.
- 27 April – DMK functionary Praveen Kumar was brutally hacked to death in Sivaganga.
Three suspects were arrested, claiming they killed him for allegedly instigating a legal case against one of their brothers. - 03 March – 70-year-old Seethalakshmi and her daughter Ramajayanthi, home alone, murdered near Thoothukudi in a suspected robbery.
- 04 March – Retired Aavin employee Indrani found murdered in Madurai.
- 05 March – Mahendran killed in Tirunelveli following a drunken brawl.
- 05 March – Rowdy Uthira kumar murdered near Paramakudi due to previous enmity.
- 06 March – Loganathan murdered near Villupuram.
- 06 March – Elderly man killed by a drunkard near Ooty.
- 07 March – Velu burned to death near Nagercoil after refusing to pay for liquor in a dispute.
- 08 March – Rowdy Srinivasan murdered near Sholingar due to rivalry.
- 11 March – Multiple murders reported:
- Rowdy Kurundhaiyan murdered near Thanjavur.
- Rowdy Vasool raja murdered near Kanchipuram.
- Kamlesh killed in Madurai by unknown assailants.
- Cooking master Balaji murdered near Dindigul in a liquor dispute.
- Mathiyazhagan killed near Erode in a liquor-related incident.
- 12 March –
- 13 March – Suresh murdered near Coimbatore in a liquor dispute.
- 14 March – Harihara suthan burned alive near Kanyakumari over a drug-related conflict.
- 15 March – A series of murders reported:
- VAO Muthupandi killed near Thirumangalam.
- Isakkirajan murdered near Tirunelveli over a liquor dispute.
- A man named Suresh killed near Trichy.
- Rowdy Santosh Kumar murdered near Karur.
- Rowdy Vignesh murdered near Arani.
- 16 March –
- Rowdy Arunkumar and Padappai Suresh murdered in Chennai.
- Suresh killed near Sivakasi due to past enmity.
- DMK trade union executive Kumar from Ayanavaram kidnapped and murdered.
- 17 March – Ganesan murdered near Erode over a liquor dispute.
- 18 March –
- Retired SI Zakir Hussain killed near Tirunelveli.
- Police constable Malayarasan burned alive in Virudhunagar district.
- BJP leader Karuppasamy found dead under suspicious circumstances in Sellur.
- 19 March – Rowdy John hacked to death near Erode.
- 21 March –
- Rowdy Manoj hacked to death in Karaikudi.
- Youth Lokesh murdered near Tiruttani due to drug related dispute.
- 22 March – Rowdy “Glamour” Kali murdered in Madurai.
- 23 March – Kalimuthu killed near Coimbatore over a liquor dispute.
- 25 February – Youth kills father near Kudankulam after years of alcohol-fueled harassment toward family.
- 27 February – Fisherman Satyanarayanan killed in Manamelkudi due to past enmity.
- 28 February – Loan recovery agent Siva murdered in Kumbakonam while attempting to collect dues.
(With inputs from Times Of India)
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