Suspect In IRS Officer’s Daughter’s Rape-Murder Accused Of Raping Woman In Alwar Hours Earlier: Delhi Police

Police investigations suggest that Rahul Meena allegedly raped a woman in Rajasthan's Alwar hours before travelling overnight to Delhi, where a 22-year-old woman was raped and murdered at her Kailash Hills home on Wednesday morning. Officers also suspect that Meena’s reported online gambling habit and debts may have pushed an attempt to rob the house.

According to officers familiar with the case, Meena, aged 23, hired a van in Alwar for the night journey and came straight to the south Delhi residence on arrival. The victim, the daughter of a civil servant and a dentist, was found dead inside the flat while Meena was tracked and arrested later on Wednesday.

Rahul Meena and access to the secured Kailash Hills house

Senior officers said the family considered their third-floor flat well secured, describing a "strong" system that included a digital lock on the main door, a steel gate at the staircase entry, and a separate door outside the lift. The steel gate needed a smart card, and the staircase door stayed latched from inside.

Investigators said the couple usually left for the gym in the morning and tried not to disturb their daughter’s sleep. "There was no way to enter via the staircase as it was latched from inside. But whenever the couple left for the gym, they told us that they would leave the door outside the lift open and take their own smart card for their return entry, to ensure their daughter wasn't disturbed while she slept," an officer said.

Rahul Meena, smart card routine and alleged robbery motive

Officers said one smart card was routinely hidden outside the house for domestic workers to use. "They would keep one smart key outside the main door for the helps, and they all knew where," the officer added. Meena, who had worked in the house earlier, allegedly knew both this practice and the couple’s schedule.

Investigators believe Meena entered the flat using this smart card arrangement on Wednesday morning, reportedly aiming to steal cash and valuables to manage gambling-related losses. During initial questioning, another officer said the rape-murder-robbery may also relate to "revenge or a grudge he was holding against the family for letting him go, but we will ascertain that after detailed questioning."

Rahul Meena, CCTV trail and timeline of the Delhi crime

Delhi Police said security camera footage from the Kailash Hills area showed Meena near the building around 6.30am. Another clip captured him leaving the house at about 7.15am. Joint commissioner of police (southern range) Vijay Kumar said Meena changed his trousers and shoes before exiting the premises.

One investigator said Meena spent roughly 40 minutes inside the flat. During this period, he allegedly raped the 22-year-old and strangled the victim. The officer added that Meena then escaped with cash and jewellery carried in a black backpack. Joint CP Vijay Kumar stated that Meena was arrested later the same day.

Rahul Meena, earlier employment and alleged gambling links

According to one officer, the victim’s 55-year-old father said Meena had been employed as domestic staff for about 10 months. The family reportedly dismissed Meena two months earlier because Meena frequently asked neighbours for small loans. Residents said this behaviour continued even after the job ended.

Neighbours in the Kailash Hills locality confirmed that Meena often approached people for money. A vegetable vendor working on the same street said, "He had asked me for money too, but I refused. I never gave him vegetables on credit unless he made me speak to his employer." Police sources said gambling was central to these frequent requests.

Rahul Meena, Alwar complaint and van journey to Delhi

When a Delhi Police team reached Alwar on Wednesday morning, local officers informed them about a complaint filed around 10pm on Tuesday. The complainant, the wife of one of Meena’s acquaintances, alleged that Meena sexually assaulted her at home while the husband was out at a wedding that night.

Alwar superintendent of police Sudhir Chaudhary said the woman stated that the accused, a friend of her husband, came late on Tuesday and raped her. Alwar Police added that the accused and the woman’s husband were reportedly "associated through gambling activities." This complaint was lodged shortly before Meena is believed to have left the city.

According to investigators, Meena departed Alwar soon after the complaint and arranged transport to Delhi. Police said Meena allegedly sold one of his mobile phones for ₹10,000, then hired a van and agreed to pay the driver ₹6,000 for the journey. "However, he reached Delhi and deboarded the van without paying the driver," an officer said.

Officers said that once Meena arrived in Delhi, he went directly to the Kailash Hills residence. The victim’s mortal remains were later brought from the hospital to the family home on Wednesday. A separate police team continues to coordinate with Alwar authorities as both rape cases and the associated robbery allegations move through investigation.