New Delhi: In a major development in the murder case of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer’s daughter, a Delhi court has granted four days of police custody to the accused Rahul Meena to aid further investigation.
During the hearing, the court questioned Meena about his actions. When asked why he had entered the house, the accused said that he had done so with the intention of stealing money. On being asked about the other offences, Meena told the court, “It was my mistake, but I cannot say anything right now.”
Police seek more time
The court also sought an explanation from Delhi Police on the need for extended custody. Responding to the query, the investigating officer informed the court that jewellery and cash had already been recovered from the accused.
However, the police emphasised that further interrogation was necessary to uncover the full scope of the crime. Officials told the court that they intend to question other individuals to determine whether more people were involved in the incident.
The Saket court subsequently allowed the plea and granted four days of custody to Delhi Police for continued questioning and investigation.
The case so far
Meena’s shocking series of crimes began in Rajasthan’s Alwar and ended in Delhi within 12 hours. On Tuesday night around 10:30 pm, he allegedly entered his neighbour’s house in Alwar and raped her after assaulting and threatening her. He warned her not to report the incident and fled. Police registered an FIR based on her complaint.
The next morning, Meena travelled nearly 200 km to Delhi and reached Amar Colony, where he had earlier worked as a house help. Around 6:30 am, he entered his former employer’s house.
How he was caught
The victim, a 22-year-old engineering graduate preparing for UPSC, was alone at home. Police say Meena attacked her in a rooftop study room, strangled her and hit her with objects, leaving her unconscious. He then allegedly raped her and later tried to open a locker before stealing cash and jewellery.
Her parents found her in a pool of blood when they returned home around 8 am. CCTV footage helped trace Meena’s movements. He was tracked through an auto-rickshaw driver and arrested from a hotel in Delhi.