Maine kaand kar diya: Killer called cousin after murdering IRS officer's daughter

Investigators say the accused called his cousin after the Delhi killing and said he had committed a crime. The call, along with betting debt leads, movement tracking and recoveries, has widened the probe's focus.

In Short

• Police traced Rahul Meena's post-crime call to his Delhi-based cousin
• Investigators are examining online betting debts as a possible motive
• Cash and jewellery were recovered from a Dwarka hotel room

In a key breakthrough in the rape and murder of a 22-year-old daughter of a senior IRS officer in Delhi, investigators have identified the person the accused, Rahul Meena, was speaking to while fleeing the crime scene.

CCTV footage had captured Rahul continuously talking on the phone as he exited the Amar Colony residence. His mother, Mukeshi Devi, has revealed that he was speaking to his cousin Trilok, who lives in Delhi.

According to the family, Rahul told him: “Maine Delhi mein kaand kar diya hai, main ab marne wala hoon police mujhe pakad legi” (I have committed a crime in Delhi. I may die now. The police will catch me soon).

During the same call, he allegedly denied committing rape in Alwar, claiming he had only gone there to retrieve his mobile phone and had not harmed the woman.

TWO CRIMES WITHIN 12 HOURS

Investigators have established that the accused targeted two victims across states within a span of hours. On Tuesday night around 10.30 pm, Rahul allegedly entered a neighbour’s house in Rajasthan’s Alwar, where he raped his friend's wife. He also allegedly threatened to kill her and her family if she spoke about the incident. An FIR was registered based on the survivor’s complaint.

Within hours, he travelled nearly 200 km to Delhi, reaching a posh society in south-east Delhi’s Kailash Hills around 6.30 am. The second victim, the IRS officer's daughter and an engineering graduate, was home alone at the time.

Rahul entered his former employer’s residence at approximately 6.39 am. Police said he attacked her inside the flat. When her parents returned from the gym around 8 am, they found her lying in a pool of blood, with the house ransacked.

BRUTALITY INSIDE DELHI FLAT

According to police, Rahul used his familiarity with the house layout and security arrangements to gain entry. He allegedly barged into the victim’s study room, struck her with a lamp and another heavy object, and then strangled her.

Police suspect he sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. He dragged her body from the rooftop study area downstairs, attempted to open a locker using her finger, and later broke it open using tools.

He then stole cash and jewellery, changed his blood-stained clothes, wore clothes belonging to the victim’s brother, and fled the scene.

The autopsy conducted at AIIMS Delhi confirmed strangulation as the cause of death. The report also noted multiple abrasions, contusions and a nasal fracture, indicating a violent struggle. Forensic samples have been preserved, and confirmation of sexual assault is pending examination.

CCTV TRAIL, RECOVERIES AND ARREST

Delhi Police tracked Rahul using CCTV footage from the housing society and surrounding areas. He was seen entering the complex around 6.28 am in a yellow shirt and black trousers and leaving around 7.22 am in a different set of clothes, carrying a backpack.

Investigators traced an auto-rickshaw he boarded after leaving the scene. The driver led police to a hotel in Dwarka, where Rahul had checked in.

Police recovered more than Rs 1 lakh in cash and jewellery allegedly stolen from the victim’s house from the hotel room. The room had been paid for using the stolen money.

He was arrested within hours and is currently in police custody. Officers said he will be taken to reconstruct the crime scenes in both Alwar and Delhi.

MONEY, BETTING AND MOTIVE UNDER SCANNER

Investigators said Rahul was heavily involved in online betting, including teen patti and other gaming apps, and had borrowed money from several people. Police are now identifying those who lent him money.

Family members claimed the Alwar incident was linked to a dispute over money and a mobile phone, alleging he had gone there to retrieve his device after losing money in a game. However, investigators are examining a broader financial and behavioural motive.

Rahul had previously worked as a domestic help at the victim’s house for nearly a year before being dismissed over his betting habits and financial irregularities.

Police said he often took money from the family for errands but failed to pay shopkeepers, instead purchasing goods on credit.

Sources in the investigation described him as violent in nature and known in his village for aggressive behaviour. Police said he showed little remorse during questioning and attempted to justify his actions.

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