By Sumesh Rajan | April 23, 2026
Delhi, INDIA: A 23-year-old former domestic worker has been arrested for allegedly committing two rapes within a span of less than 12 hours, including the rape and murder of a 22-year-old woman in south-east Delhi’s Amar Colony, police said on Thursday April 23.
The accused, identified as Rahul Meena, was apprehended hours after the second crime following an intensive manhunt by the Delhi Police.
Crime Spree Across Two States
According to investigators, Meena’s night of violence began on Tuesday April 21 in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. At around 10.30 pm, he allegedly entered a neighbour’s house, assaulted her and raped her. Police said he also strangled the woman, bit her at multiple places, and threatened to kill her and her family if she reported the assault. An FIR was later registered based on the survivor’s complaint.
Within hours, Meena travelled nearly 200 km to Delhi.
Brutal Attack in Amar Colony
On Wednesday April 22 morning, Meena allegedly entered a residential society in Amar Colony around 6.30 am and made his way to the flat of his former employer—an Income Tax officer. He had previously worked there as a house help for nearly a year.
Police said the victim, a 22-year-old engineering graduate preparing for UPSC examinations, was alone at home and studying in a rooftop room when Meena barged in.
He allegedly overpowered her, strangled her, and struck her with a lamp and another heavy object, causing severe bleeding. Investigators believe she lost consciousness during the assault, after which Meena raped her. He then dragged her body downstairs and attempted to open a locker using her blood-stained finger, suspecting biometric access.
When the attempt failed, he used a screwdriver to break open the locker and fled with cash and jewellery, police said.
Body Found by Parents
The victim’s parents discovered her lying in a pool of blood when they returned home around 8 am. Her clothes were found torn, and the house was ransacked.
Preliminary findings suggest she may have been strangled using a mobile phone charger cable. Police said confirmation of sexual assault is pending medical examination reports.
CCTV Trail Leads to Arrest
Multiple CCTV cameras captured Meena entering the housing complex wearing a yellow shirt and black trousers at around 6.28 am. About an hour later, he was seen leaving in different clothes, carrying a black backpack.
Police tracked his movement through CCTV footage and identified an auto-rickshaw he boarded. The driver informed investigators that he had dropped Meena at a hotel, leading to his arrest.
A total of 15 police teams were deployed to trace the accused.
Background and Motive
Meena had been employed at the victim’s residence until a few months ago but was dismissed after the family discovered his alleged involvement in betting and financial misconduct. Police said he had taken money for errands but failed to pay shopkeepers, instead purchasing items on credit.
Investigators are probing whether financial distress and addiction to betting played a role in the crimes.
Charges Filed
Police have registered cases of rape, murder, and robbery against the accused. Further investigation is underway, including forensic analysis and medical reports to establish the full sequence of events.
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