A dermatologist in south Delhi allegedly killed his 45-year-old domestic help at his residence on Thursday morning, attacking her with a cricket bat and stabbing her multiple times, police said.
Accused Confesses
The accused, identified as Dr Manish Gupta, was found standing near the blood-soaked body of the woman, Meena, when police reached his Mount Kailash home. He was taken into custody and allegedly confessed to the killing during preliminary questioning.
Motive Under Investigation
Police said the exact motive behind the murder is yet to be established and investigators are examining multiple angles, including family disputes and the accused's mental health.
According to investigators, Gupta allegedly claimed that he suspected Meena of practising black magic and believed she was responsible for ongoing tensions within his family.
Attack Details
Police said the accused first assaulted Meena with a bat and later stabbed her with a knife on the terrace. Both weapons were recovered from the spot.
Deputy commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said police received a PCR call around 11.36 am from a resident who reported that a woman had been murdered on the terrace of a neighbouring building. "A police team rushed to the spot and found the victim dead. A man in his 50s was also present near the body when they arrived," DCP Tiwari said.
The accused was immediately detained and is being questioned. "The main motive behind the murder is not clear, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the motive," the officer said.
Family Disputes Under Scanner
According to sources cited by news agency PTI, Gupta had wanted Meena to leave the job for the last two to three years, but his wife opposed the move. This allegedly became a recurring point of conflict in the household.
Investigators are also looking into whether domestic disputes, marital tension or Gupta's medical condition had any role in the killing.
Sources said the doctor was undergoing treatment for depression and was on antidepressant medication. Police are verifying his medical history.
Gupta's wife is also a doctor and works as an Ayurvedic dermatologist, while their 20-year-old son recently completed Class 12 and is currently unemployed, sources said.
Police are checking if any argument took place before the attack and whether anyone else was present at the house.
Neighbours Recall Screams
Residents and domestic workers said screams were heard from the terrace shortly before the incident.
Pooja Verma, a domestic worker who had earlier worked with Meena at the doctor's residence, claimed some residents saw more than one person attacking her.
"I used to work with her before. The doctor's clinic is in Saket. He has a son too. He runs a clinic at home as well as outside. Someone saw that some people were beating her. I worked there for seven years. People are saying she was beaten with sticks, a bat and by hand," Verma said.
Police, however, said they have not confirmed involvement of anyone else and are verifying all claims.
Family Demands Justice
Meena's son Robin said the family was unable to understand what had happened.
"I don't exactly know what happened. She was fine when she left. Someone called me and said she is dead," he said.
"She used to work as a househelp there for the past 15 years. My friend called and told me that my mother had been killed. She had left home as usual in the morning. I still cannot believe it," he added.
Her brother Shubho Dhargal also questioned the circumstances surrounding the murder.
"Every day she used to leave for work as usual. I was informed by relatives that my sister had been killed. When I reached there, police did not allow me to see her body. We only came to know later what had happened," he said.
After the news spread, domestic workers, relatives and neighbours gathered outside the doctor's residence. Several women who knew Meena demanded strict action against those responsible.
Some protesters also demanded that the accused be handed over to them, prompting police to increase security around the area.
Probe Underway
A crime team and forensic experts examined the scene and collected evidence. Police are analysing CCTV footage from nearby buildings and recording statements of neighbours, family members, domestic workers and the person who made the PCR call.
Meena's body has been sent for post-mortem examination.
The incident has also brought back memories of another case from the same area, where a 22-year-old IIT graduate and daughter of a senior IRS officer was allegedly raped and murdered by a former domestic help at her Kailash Hills residence in April.
