Indian-American man nailed for wanting to hire 'hit-man' to kill rape accuser student

New York, Nov 13(ANI): An Indian-origin man accused of raping a New York University law student reportedly tried to hire an undercover police officer to kill his victim in exchange for 15,000 dollars.

Rajeev Kumar was charged with rape and sodomy in August, after a DNA match linked him to a 10-year-old assault on the student.

The 30-year-old is currently in jail serving a five-year probation sentence for an insurance scam, but has denied the sex assault charge.

According to the New York Daily News, Kumar's scheme to silence his accuser was blown open in a NYPD undercover operation, in which he is believed to have said that he would pay 15,000 dollars for the rubout.

The NYPD carried out the operation following tip-off that Kumar had told fellow inmates at Rikers Islands that he would pay for someone to 'get rid of his problem'.

The undercover police officer revealed that Kumar didn't know where the rape victim lived, but he knew what school she graduated from and had her photograph.

It is believed that the photograph was provided to defense lawyer Nelson Schmukler in an evidence file.

Kumar's inmate information page on the Department of Correction website confirmed that he is now charged with conspiracy in the first degree.

However, Kumar's ex-wife Harpreet Saini believes that he would not offer money to kill the victim.

"Fifteen grand? He doesn't have 15 dollars. He blew all his money on drink and gambling. It's all lies," Saini said. umar, a former limousine driver, is accused of raping the student in August 2000 after offering to give her a lift home from a nightclub.

The 30-year-old was not caught for the crime until this year, after he torched his limousine in the hopes of collecting insurance money.

He had to submit a DNA sample after admitting to the arson, and his genetic profile matched the rape kit from the 2000 incident. (ANI)