IRS Officer’s Daughter Murder: Delhi Court Frames Rape, Murder & Robbery Charges Against Former Domestic Help
Saket Court framed rape, murder and robbery charges against Rahul Kumar Meena in the alleged killing of an IRS officer’s daughter
A Delhi court has framed charges of rape, murder and robbery against Rahul Kumar Meena, a former domestic help accused of killing the 22-year-old daughter of a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer at her South Delhi residence in April this year.
Special Judge (Fast Track Court) Ankit Singla of the Saket Court framed the charges on Monday. Meena denied the allegations and claimed trial. The court directed that prosecution evidence would commence from September 7.
According to the prosecution, Meena had earlier worked as a domestic help for the victim’s family and was familiar with their daily routine. He allegedly entered their residence in Kailash Hills on April 22 using a hidden key after the victim’s parents had left the house.
The prosecution has alleged that Meena sexually assaulted and strangled the woman before fleeing with cash, jewellery and mobile phones. Police have alleged that he used a mobile phone charging cable to strangle her.
The victim, an engineering graduate and UPSC aspirant, was found unconscious by her parents after they returned home. She was taken to a hospital, where she was declared dead.
Accused arrested from Dwarka hotel
Delhi Police arrested Meena from a hotel in Dwarka on the same day following a manhunt. During his initial appearance before a magistrate, he allegedly told the court that he had “made a mistake” and committed the crime for money.
Police have alleged that Meena remained inside the house for around 40 minutes before fleeing towards Palam railway station, where he allegedly discarded the two mobile phones.
The investigation involved analysis of more than 100 CCTV cameras to establish the accused’s route of arrival and escape. Police have also sought gait-pattern analysis to corroborate CCTV footage showing the accused’s movements around the crime scene.
According to the police, the crime scene was examined by expert teams from CFSL Lodhi Colony and FSL Madhuban Chowk, Rohini. DNA profiling, fingerprint examination, scene reconstruction and behavioural analysis were also conducted as part of the investigation.
Police have further claimed that the entire stolen property was recovered at the instance of the accused.
Case committed to Sessions Court
The FIR registered at Amar Colony Police Station invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to rape, murder and robbery.
The Magistrate Court had taken cognizance of the chargesheet and committed the case to the Sessions Court on July 18.
A chargesheet was filed before the Saket Court on July 16. Police have alleged that Meena was also involved in a separate sexual assault case in Rajasthan’s Alwar shortly before the Kailash Hills incident.
With charges now framed, the case will proceed to the stage of recording prosecution evidence from September 7.
Background of the Case
Delhi Police has filed a 973-page chargesheet before a Delhi court against Rahul Meena. The chargesheet was filed in July following the completion of the investigation by the Amar Colony Police Station.
The victim, an IIT graduate preparing for the Civil Services Examination, was found dead at her Kailash Hills residence on April 22, after her parents returned home from a gym.
According to the prosecution, Meena, who had been dismissed from his employment in February over alleged financial misconduct, entered the house using his knowledge of a spare key kept on the premises. Police alleged that he raped the victim and strangled her with a mobile phone charging cable after she resisted his demand for money. Investigators alleged that the accused fled after stealing between ₹5 lakh and ₹7 lakh in cash and changing into the victim's brother's clothes.
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.
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.
[Inputs: ANI]