IRS Officer’s Daughter Murder Case: Delhi Court Extends Rahul Meena’s Judicial Custody By 4 Days

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Deepika Thakran passed the order after considering an application moved by Delhi Police seeking further judicial custody of the accused in view of the ongoing investigation.

Rahul Meena was produced before the Saket court after the expiry of his earlier custody period. He had been arrested on April 22 from a hotel in Dwarka following registration of an FIR at Amar Colony police station in connection with the alleged murder.

During the hearing, the prosecution informed the court that the investigation is still underway and certain crucial aspects remain pending. Police submitted that two mobile phones belonging to the victim’s parents are yet to be recovered. It further stated that forensic examination, including analysis of the accused’s walking pattern, is also pending.

The Court thereafter allowed the plea and extended Meena’s judicial custody by four days.

Earlier, on May 4, Meena had alleged that he was physically assaulted by fellow inmates while lodged in judicial custody. Taking note of the allegation, the court had directed that a Medico-Legal Case (MLC) examination be conducted and sought a report from jail authorities.

The accused was initially remanded to police custody after his arrest. On April 27, following completion of police interrogation, the Saket court had sent him to seven days’ judicial custody.

During an earlier interaction with the court on April 23, Meena was questioned regarding his entry into the victim’s residence. In response, he reportedly told the court that he had entered the house “for money.”

While seeking police custody earlier, Delhi Police had informed the Court that investigators had traced the route allegedly taken by Meena to reach Delhi. Police had also stated that the accused’s mobile phone had been recovered and that additional evidence was required to be collected.

The remand plea had been opposed by Legal Aid Defence Counsel Sayantini Sahu, who argued that the matter was highly sensitive and that the police had already acted promptly in the investigation.

The 22-year-old victim, an engineering graduate, was found critically injured at her residence. According to investigators, she was allegedly strangled using a mobile phone charger and sustained head injuries inflicted with a heavy object. She was rushed to a hospital by her parents, who had returned home from the gym, but later succumbed to her injuries.

Police said Meena had worked as a domestic help with the family for nearly a year before being dismissed a few weeks ago. Preliminary findings suggest that he was under financial distress, reportedly due to debts arising from online betting.

Officials indicated that a possible personal grudge may have been a motive, though the investigation is also exploring whether the crime was initially intended as theft. The accused allegedly ransacked an almirah and decamped with approximately Rs. 2 lakh in cash, which has since been recovered.

Separately, police are also examining allegations that the accused may have been involved in another serious offence prior to the incident, though details remain under verification.