25 April,2026 09:59 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
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Crime scene reconstruction was carried out on Saturday at a southeast Delhi residence where a 22-year-old woman, daughter of a senior IRS officer, was allegedly raped and murdered on April 22, police sources said, the PTI reported.
Investigators are working to piece together the exact sequence of events and have conducted a detailed mapping of the crime scene. They are also collecting minute-to-minute details of the accused's movements, beginning from Alwar, where he allegedly committed rape, to the crime in Delhi, sources added.
An iPhone stolen from the victim has been recovered from a park. A potency test of the accused has also been conducted as part of the investigation.
"Crime and forensic teams recreated the sequence of events inside the house for over two hours to establish how the crime unfolded. Every minute detail has been examined," a PTI source said.
The house was cordoned off, with a heavy police presence in and around the premises during the exercise.
The victim, an engineering graduate and UPSC aspirant, was attacked at her residence in the Kailash Hills area of southeast Delhi on Wednesday morning.
The accused, Rahul Meena, a former domestic help who had been dismissed over alleged financial misconduct, used his familiarity with the house layout to gain entry.
According to investigators, Meena was addicted to online betting and card games such as teen patti, and had reportedly lost over Rs 7 lakh in recent months. He is also suspected to have spent money on prostitution and consumed pornographic content, sources said.
As per PTI, Police said he allegedly entered the rooftop study room where the woman was studying, attacked her with a heavy object, raped her, and later dragged her downstairs. He allegedly used her fingers to access a biometric locker and stole cash.
The autopsy confirmed strangulation as the cause of death and noted multiple injuries, including a nasal bone fracture, indicating a struggle.
After the crime, the accused changed his clothes and fled. He reached Palam Railway Station to catch a train to Rewari but failed to board one. He then checked into a hotel in Dwarka, from where he was later arrested. Police recovered over Rs 1 lakh in cash and stolen jewellery from his possession.
As part of the investigation, the accused was taken to Palam Railway Station and will also be taken to the Dwarka hotel where he briefly stayed.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that Meena had a history of aggressive behaviour in his native village in Rajasthan. "We were told that both he and his father were known for their aggressive nature. His father is reportedly an alcoholic, and Meena was addicted to online gaming," a police source said, the news agency reported.
A detailed psychological assessment of the accused will be conducted to evaluate his mental state, behavioural patterns, and possible psychopathic tendencies.
Police said Meena appeared unusually calm during interrogation. "He showed no visible remorse and behaved casually, as if nothing had happened," a PTI source said.
During questioning, the accused allegedly told investigators that the crime occurred in a fit of rage. He claimed that had the victim given him money, the incident might not have occurred. He reportedly admitted that while he did not regret the theft, he should not have killed her.
Investigators are also probing whether the crime was premeditated. The accused's psychological profiling is expected to aid in reconstructing events and understanding his motives.
Meanwhile, his family members are being questioned to gather more details about his background and movements.
Police said his custody ends on Monday, and he will be produced before a court. Officials plan to seek an extension of his remand to continue the investigation.
Sources also said the accused had allegedly raped a friend's wife in Rajasthan before travelling to Delhi.
(With PTI inputs)
