A 19-year-old former domestic worker, Rahul Meena, has been arrested by New Delhi police for the horrific rape and murder of a 22-year-old UPSC aspirant. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the victim’s residence in the upscale Kailash Hills locality.
Details of the Crime
Meena, who had been fired by the family a month prior, utilized his knowledge of the household’s routine to orchestrate the attack.
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Entry: Knowing the parents would be out for their morning walk, Meena accessed the home at approximately 6:30 am using a key card hidden in a shoe rack.
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The Assault: He raped the victim before strangling her with a phone charger cable.
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The Theft: After the murder, Meena allegedly stole between ₹2 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh from the premises.
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Cover-up: CCTV footage captured Meena entering the house and exiting 50 minutes later. To hide evidence, he changed out of his blood-stained trousers and shoes, donning clothes belonging to the victim’s brother before fleeing.
A Trail of Violence
Investigations revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Meena’s journey to the crime scene involved a pre-meditated path of violence and desperation:
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Prior Offense: Just days before arriving in Delhi, Meena allegedly raped the wife of a friend in Alwar, Rajasthan.
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The Journey: He sold a mobile phone for ₹10,000 to fund a private car to Delhi. Upon arrival, he fled without paying the driver the ₹6,000 fare.
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Motive: Police suggest a combination of a “criminal mindset,” a grudge over his dismissal, and a desperate need for money fueled by an addiction to online gaming.
Arrest and Charges
Meena was previously terminated from his job at the IRS officer’s home following numerous complaints that he borrowed money from local staff and failed to repay it.
Following a brief manhunt, police apprehended Meena at a hotel in Dwarka, where he was hiding. He now faces multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, including:
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Rape
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Murder
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Robbery
Joint Commissioner of Police Vijay Kumar confirmed that forensic evidence, including the recovered stolen cash and CCTV footage, remains central to the ongoing interrogation.
