Kitty Kumaramangalam had served as a Supreme Court lawyer.
Former Union Minister PR Kumaramangalam's wife was murdered last night at her Delhi home, police said.
Kitty Kumaramangalam, 67, was found dead at her house in south Delhi's Vasant Vihar. She was suffocated to death with a pillow, as per the initial probe.
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 - along with two other men - with an intent of robbery, police said.
He held the house help hostage in a room, then attacked Ms Kumaramangalam, and murdered her, officials added.
Police was informed at around 11 pm. While the main accused has been arrested, two others, who helped him, are still missing.
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.
"The incident happened at around 9 pm when the house help opened the door for the family's washerman (dhobi). When the help opened the door, he overpowered her, dragged her to another room and tied her. In the meantime, two other boys entered and overpowered Kitty Kumaramangalam. They suffocated her to death using a pillow," Ingit Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner Police (DCP), Southwest Delhi, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
"We received the call at around 11 pm. Shortly after, probe teams were formed. Some briefcases were found open at the scene of the crime. Police have arrested the accused - Raju (24) - from his residence in Bhanwar Singh Camp in Vasant Vihar. He has revealed two other names," the police officer said.