Former employee murders Kottayam couple in chilling act of revenge

An elderly couple was found dead in their home in the Kottayam district of Kerala on Tuesday. Vijaykumar, 71, the owner of Indraprastham Auditorium in Kottayam town and several other business enterprises, was discovered dead along with his wife, Meera, 67, in their palatial residence in Thiruvathukkal, as per reports.

Their bodies were reportedly discovered by their house help, who immediately alerted local residents and the police. According to reports, Meera’s body was found in a separate room from her husband’s. 

Police officials stated that the murders appeared to be an act of revenge by Amit Urang, a resident of Tinsukia district in Assam, who had previously been employed by Vijaykumar. Amit had been terminated and implicated in a financial fraud case last year, following a complaint lodged by Vijaykumar.

The day after the murder, the police arrested the primary suspect, Amit, in Thrissur district. After committing the crime, he had fled the scene and moved across multiple districts, as per reports.

He initially traveled by train from Kottayam to Ernakulam, then took a bus to Perumbavoor, and later another bus to Mala. Police tracked his movements using digital clues, including one of the victim’s mobile phones which he had used after the crime.

Reports indicate that Amit had earlier been arrested in connection with a financial theft case involving Vijaykumar’s phone. During his brief time in jail—approximately five months, according to sources—his girlfriend reportedly broke up with him. This personal setback is believed to have further fueled his motive for murder.

In connection with the case, three others, including Amit’s brother, are currently in police custody.

Meanwhile, Amit is also under investigation by a CBI team for the earlier, mysterious death of Vijaykumar’s son, Gautham.

Police said the murder was meticulously planned and executed. Based on Amit's confession, police have also recovered CCTV data that he had discarded in a nearby canal.