A 22-year-old woman, daughter of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, was strangled to death with a mobile phone charger at their home in Southeast Delhi on Wednesday morning, police said, adding that a former house help who was sacked recently might allegedly be involved in the attack. He was arrested from Dwarka, 10 hours later.
Speaking at a press conference, Vijay Kumar, Joint CP South, said that a case was registered under sections of rape, murder and robbery.
According to police, the incident came to light when the victim’s parents returned from the gym and found their daughter with severe injuries to her head and face. They rushed her to a hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.
Police received information around 9 am from the hospital. The woman had pursued engineering and was preparing for the civil services exam, sources said.
Delhi Police said they have found CCTV footage showing the suspect, Rahul Meena, allegedly entering the house on Wednesday morning. Multiple teams are conducting searches and looking for the suspect, who escaped along the deceased’s mobile phone, The Indian Express has learnt.
Police suspect the crime took place between 6.30 am and 7 am, a time deliberately chosen by the accused, likely because two other domestic workers usually arrive later in the day.
“Investigation revealed that they (parents) locked the door in the morning and kept the key card in their shoe rack for their domestic help. Meena was aware of the location… he took the key card and opened the door,” a source at the Delhi Police Headquarters said.
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“CCTV cameras were installed at the entrance to the victim’s room and the live feed was available in the victim’s phone and her father’s phone. Meena was also spotted on a CCTV camera, installed in a nearby street, carrying a backpack,” the source added.
According to police, their investigation so far revealed that Meena, who hails from Rajasthan, had been working at the officer’s house for the last 18 months. But he was let go two months ago after neighbours complained he had allegedly taken a Rs 1.5 lakh loan from them.
“It was found that he lost money in online gaming and took a loan from all neighbours… and they started asking for their money back… The loan was eventually repaid by the victim’s father and he called Meena’s family about it,” the source said.
Police further found that Meena was at his hometown, Rajgarh in Rajasthan, on Tuesday night and allegedly molested a woman there before fleeing. A case has been registered there as well, with police sources in Rajgarh saying they are coordinating with the Delhi Police to nab the accused.
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“Multiple teams have left for Rajasthan to search Meena’s suspected hideouts,” the source added.
On the directions of senior officers, Special CP (Southern Zone) and JCP (Southern Range) visited the spot, and neighbours were questioned.
Police said a car cleaner in the locality, who was questioned, claimed he saw Meena coming out of the house and offered him tea, but the latter told him he had some work and left.
