Ex-Union Minister PR Kumaramangalam’s wife death, one detained

Former Union Minister P Rangarajan Kumaramangalam’s wife Kitty Kumaramangalam was murdered at her residence in south Delhi’s Vasant Vihar last night, police said. She was suffocated to death with a pillow, as per the initial probe. Her son, Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam, is the leader of Congress. Kumaramangalam, who was in Bengaluru, left for Delhi soon after learning about her mother’s demise.

On Tuesday, at around 9 PM, Ms Kumaramangalam was alone at her home with her house help when a washerman (dhobi), who worked for her, barged into the house with two others with an intent of robbery, police said. He held the home help hostage in a room, then attacked Ms Kumaramangalam, and murdered her, officials added. The 67-year-old Kitty Mangalam was alone in the house with her maid at the time of the incident. Police was informed at around 11 PM. According to police, one person has been detained and a search is underway to nab two other accused. While the main accused has been arrested, two others who helped him, are still missing. Police suspect that the incident happened during the course of robbery in the house.

Kitty Kumaramangalam had served as a Supreme Court lawyer. Her husband was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1984, and had served as Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs and Law, Justice and Company Affairs between 1991 and 92, Parliamentary Affairs Minister between 1992 and 93, and as the country’s Power Minister in 1998.