The 22-year-old IIT graduate, who is also the daughter of a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, was allegedly raped and murdered at her home in southeast Delhi’s Kailash Hills area on Wednesday morning.
Who is Rahul Meena?
Police said the main accused Rahul Meena (19), a former domestic helper who worked with the family for about eight months before he was released a month ago, has been arrested in connection with the case.
“The woman, who was preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, was alone in her house at the time of the incident and was found murdered in the room by her family members when they returned from the gym,” PTI reported quoting the police.
CCTV footage shows Meena changing his clothes after committing the crime. According to police, he returned to Delhi on Wednesday and changed his trousers and shoes after the incident, while his shirt remained, providing key evidence, NDTV reported.
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Investigators found that Meena, who was familiar with the routine and arrangement of the household, was sneaking around ₹2.5 million from the house. Initial findings also indicate that he was addicted to online gambling and frequently borrowed money from others.
The record further reveals that he entered the colony at around 6.30am, went to the house about nine minutes later and was seen leaving almost an hour after that at around 7.20am.
Victim strangled to death with cell phone charger cable
A preliminary investigation suggests the woman was sexually assaulted before she was strangled to death with a cellphone charger cable, police said, adding that they were awaiting a post-mortem report to confirm sexual assault.
The deceased was the daughter of an IRS officer residing in Kailash Hills, Amar Colony, a senior officer said.
“We were first informed by the victim’s parents. The IZS officer and his wife went to the gym and when they returned around 8am, they found their daughter lying unconscious on the floor. She was immediately rushed to Fortis Hospital in the NFC area where doctors declared her brought dead. The hospital then also informed the police,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Vijay Kumar.
The officer added that the initial suspicion centered on Rahul Meen, a former domestic worker who was dismissed from his job about one-and-a-half months ago.
What did the CCTV footage reveal?
CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts confirmed that he entered the colony around 6.30am, entered the house around 6.49am and left around 7.20am, during which the crime is suspected to have been committed, the Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) said.
“More than 15 teams were formed and deployed at various locations in Delhi and in Rajasthan’s Rajgarh, Alwar, Jaipur, Dausa where he was believed to be present. He was later apprehended at a hotel in Delhi Dwarka,” the JCP said.
Further investigation is underway and strong evidence has been gathered. Based on this, a comprehensive case will be presented in court to ensure that the accused gets the strictest possible punishment, the police officer said.
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He also said that the accused was admitted about a year ago on the recommendation of a junior officer working with an IZS officer. About 1.5 months ago, the same junior was informed that he would be fired following complaints about his behavior.
“During investigation, it came to light that he was involved in online gaming and had borrowed money from other domestic helpers which he did not return. When the complainant, an IRS officer came to know about it, he ordered the individual to be removed from service, after which his service was terminated,” he added.
It also emerged that Meena was also involved in a similar incident a day earlier in Alwar where a FIR was lodged against him, the JCP said.
Prima facie, resentment over his termination may also be a factor, but the exact motive will be confirmed after a detailed investigation, the officer told reporters.
According to preliminary investigation, the accused was aware of where a spare set of house keys is usually kept for domestic help. Since the maid was on vacation, he allegedly used a spare key to enter the house. Upon entering, he proceeded to the floor where the victim’s room is located and it is suspected that a crime was committed there.
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The family has already handed over the entire CCTV footage to the police.
Police said the suspect was also seen on a nearby street camera with a backpack.
The accused is wanted in a sexual assault case in Rajasthan
They said Meena is also wanted in a sexual assault case in Rajasthan’s Alwar.
“On Wednesday, a criminal complaint was registered against the accused. He committed the crime on April 21 with a woman in Rajgarh and fled from Alwar, about 170 km away, to Delhi.
“An FIR has been registered against him at the Rajgarh police station. We are in touch with the Delhi Police and a Delhi Police team has also visited here to question his family members,” an officer in Alwar told PTI.
The police had earlier said that Meena was seen outside the house a few days ago as well.
“We know that after committing a crime in Rajasthan, he fled from there and came to Delhi. He reached right here in Kailash Hills. He knew exactly where the girls’ parents hid the keys when they came out to the gym.”
“CCTV cameras were installed at the entrance of the victim’s room, with live feed available on both the victim’s and her father’s mobile phones,” said a police officer.
The brutal incident sent shockwaves across the luxury residential area. Local residents have expressed concerns about safety and security in these neighborhoods.
Greater Kailash MLA Shikha Roy said the victim was a bright and talented young woman with a promising future and her death is a painful loss to the entire community.
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“I have known her personally for several years and have seen her grow up as a sincere, disciplined and extremely talented girl. She studied brilliantly, completed her engineering at IIT Delhi and prepared for the UPSC exam with great determination.”
“She was equally a good dancer and participant in other cultural activities, and although she was deeply focused on her studies, she remained humble and connected to those around her,” Roy said.
A case has been registered and forensic teams have collected evidence from the crime scene.
(With input from agencies)
Key things
- The importance of thorough background checks when hiring domestic helpers.
- How CCTV can play a key role in criminal investigations.
- Alarming increase in violence against women, highlighting the need for better security measures.
