Murdered man was brilliant student, loved by colleagues in work life

Subir Chaki rose through the ranks of Williamson Magor Group (WMG) over the last two decades to become the managing director of engineering firm Kilburn Engineering Ltd, a company promoted by the Khaitans of Kolkata. 

A man with impeccable academic credentials, Chaki’s journey with the group started with Eveready Industries India Ltd (EIIL), a battery and flashlight maker.

At EIIL, he was one of the executives responsible for developing the flashlight business.

“I have known Subir for a long time. He was very down to earth and was nice to his colleagues. I cannot imagine what went wrong,” said an executive who worked with Chaki for over two decades. 

The gruesome murder not only shocked his long-time colleagues, but also shook up the business fraternity of the city, especially the clan of high-ranked business managers and executives. Many of them have known Chaki for years.

“I cannot believe that Subir, a thorough gentleman, will meet this end. He was extremely nice and cordial to everyone but could also be firm when needed,” said Aloke Mookherjea, a former chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 

Before joining WMG, Chaki worked with Philips. He switched to McNally Sayaji Engineering Ltd, an infrastructure company under WMG, after a long stint with Eveready. He spent 10 years with McNally Sayaji Engineering Ltd.

Chaki became the managing director of Kilburn in 2018 and was to continue in that position at least till 2023.

He studied at St Xavier’s School before going on to do BTech from IIT Kharagpur, cost accountancy and then management from IIM Calcutta.

He was also a member of the CII’s Bengal state council.