A 19-year-old former domestic help accused of raping and killing the daughter of a senior Indian Revenue Service officer in south Delhi allegedly gained entry into the family's home by exploiting their trust, investigators have revealed. The accused, Rahul Meena, told household members "aunty ne bulaya tha" (aunty called me) to ask for money, according to police sources cited by ANI.
Accused familiar with family routine
Meena had previously worked at the Kailash Hills residence for eight months and was familiar with the family's routine. He reportedly told investigators that the family had treated him well, paying him Rs 20,000 a month along with bonuses. Despite this, officials say he used the same trust to re-enter the house on Wednesday morning.
How the crime unfolded
Sources said Meena either used a spare key or convinced those inside to let him in before heading straight to a rooftop study, where the 22-year-old victim, an IIT Delhi engineering graduate, was present. He allegedly attacked her, strangling her with a mobile phone charging cable and striking her with a heavy object, leaving her unconscious.
"The investigation suggests that the accused raped the victim while she was still unconscious. He then dragged her down the stairs to another room where a locker was kept, and attempted to open the biometric lock using her fingerprint, but it did not open," a police source told ANI. When that failed, he allegedly broke open the locker with a screwdriver and fled with cash and jewellery.
Escape and evidence
Investigators say he changed out of his blood-stained clothes and wore trousers belonging to the victim's brother before escaping, possibly towards a railway station. CCTV footage shows him entering the colony around 6.30am, sneaking into the house at 6.49am, and leaving by 7.20am, spending roughly 40 minutes inside.
Officials added that Meena had been dismissed about a month ago after working at the house for eight months, giving him detailed knowledge of the layout and daily movements. During questioning, he has reportedly shown little remorse and offered conflicting accounts of his movements.
Background of the accused
Meena, a native of Rajasthan, had been working as a domestic help in Delhi for several years. He was arrested on Thursday from a relative's house in Rajasthan after a swift police investigation. The victim's family has demanded strict action, and the case has sparked outrage over safety concerns in the capital.
