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IRS officer’s daughter killed: Keycard in shoe rack — how suspect likely gained entry to house
Police said the victim’s parents had locked the door and kept the key outside for their domestic help before going to the gym.
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. (File Photo)
Before going to the gym on Wednesday morning, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and his wife locked the door to their house in Southeast Delhi and kept the key card in their shoe rack outside for their domestic help, sources in the Delhi Police Headquarters said.
This, police said, was possibly how their former help, identified as Rahul Meena, entered the home as he likely knew where the key card was. Police suspect he allegedly killed their 22-year-old daughter after sexually assaulting her. He is yet to be arrested.
When the couple came back, they found their daughter with severe injuries to her head and face. Police said she had also been strangled with a mobile phone charger. The parents rushed her to a hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. The police were informed by the hospital.
Delhi Police said they have found CCTV footage showing the suspect entering the house. “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 police HQ said.
“CCTV cameras were installed at the entrance to the victim’s room and the live feed is 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.
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.
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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 before he left around two months ago. “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.
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