‘It just happened’: Investigators stunned as accused shows chilling calm in Delhi rape-murder case
Delhi: The investigation into Rahul Meena paints a portrait of a suspect whose lack of remorse is as central to the case as the crimes themselves. Police describe a man who, despite committing two brutal sexual assaults and a murder within 24 hours, remained "composed and calm" during interrogation.
This emotional detachment was most evident in his claim that the killing "just happened." He reportedly spoke to investigators in a matter-of-fact tone, even attempting to shift the blame onto the deceased victim by suggesting that if she had simply given him the money he demanded, the violence would not have occurred.
His cold demeanor was further reflected in his clinical behavior following the murder. After allegedly raping the victim while she was unconscious and realizing her death, Meena did not panic. Instead, he meticulously attempted to use the victim’s own fingerprint to bypass the biometric lock on a household safe. When that failed, he used a screwdriver to break into the locker, stole cash and jewelry, and then took the time to change into clean clothes and slippers belonging to the family to avoid detection by CCTV and neighbors.
The "remorseless" label is reinforced by his actions immediately following the theft. After fleeing the South Delhi apartment, he checked into a hotel in Dwarka. Rather than showing signs of distress, he reportedly used the stolen funds to engage in online gambling—the very addiction that police believe fueled his financial desperation. This pattern of behavior, from the calculated entry into the home using a spare key to his calm demeanor in custody, suggests a repeat offender with a chilling indifference to the lives of others.
Chronology of the Crime Spree
21 April, Tuesday Night – The Alwar Assault The violence began in Alwar, Rajasthan, where Meena allegedly forced his way into the home of a woman he knew through online Ludo. He sexually assaulted her and attempted to strangle her while her husband was away. Before fleeing, he threatened to kill her children if she spoke to the authorities.
21 April, Tuesday Late Night – The Journey to Delhi To escape the jurisdiction of the Rajasthan police, Meena hitched a ride in an ambulance heading toward the capital. He promised the driver a fee of several thousand rupees but, upon reaching the outskirts of Delhi, he jumped out of the vehicle and fled without paying.
22 April, Wednesday, 6:30 AM to 6:49 AM – Arrival and Entry Meena arrived at the Kailash Hills colony in South Delhi, a neighborhood where he had previously worked as domestic help. Familiar with the family’s morning routine, he waited until the parents left for the gym at 6:30 AM. At 6:49 AM, he used a spare key he knew was hidden outside the flat to bypass multiple security layers and enter the home.
22 April, Wednesday, 6:50 AM to 7:20 AM – The Murder and Theft Inside the residence, he confronted the 22-year-old victim in a rooftop study. After strangling her with a charging cable and rendering her unconscious, he committed the assault and theft. CCTV footage later captured him leaving the premises at 7:20 AM, carrying a backpack and wearing a change of clothes to mask the bloodstains from the attack.
23 April, Thursday – Arrest and Custody Following a multi-state manhunt involving tracking his mobile signals and scanning dozens of CCTV feeds, Delhi Police apprehended Meena at a hotel in Dwarka. He was subsequently brought before a magistrate and sent to four days of police custody for further interrogation.