IRS officer’s daughter sexually assaulted, killed at Delhi home; police arrest former house help

Police said they found CCTV footage showing the accused, Rahul Meena, allegedly entering the house on Wednesday morning. Police suspect the crime took place between 6.30 am and 7.30 am.

“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.

Police said footage from CCTVs around the house show him closer to the lane at 6.35 am and leaving at 7.22 am.

“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.

Police said the accused allegedly ransacked a cupboard and stole Rs 2.5 lakh. Police also said the accused changed his clothes and shoes after the crime.

Joint CP (South) Vijay Kumar said a case has been registered under sections of rape, murder and robbery.

According to police, their investigation 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 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 sources also claimed he had been hired based on a reference from a Superintendent-rank official from Rajasthan working in the officer’s office and did not undergo the Delhi Police’s verification process required for domestic help.

Police further found that Meena was at his hometown, Rajgarh in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, on Tuesday night and allegedly sexually assaulted a woman there before fleeing.

On Tuesday, police said he allegedly sold three mobile phones for Rs 13,000 and booked a vehicle – an ambulance – on rent for Rs 6,000 to come to Delhi from Alwar. On reaching the Capital, he allegedly deboarded the van without paying the driver and walked to the victim’s house.

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.