Delhi rape-murder case: Accused claims crime 'just happened' after woman refused to open locker

New Delhi: The accused in the rape and murder of a 22-year-old woman in southeast Delhi's Kailash Hills has told investigators that originally he planned to only rob the house, but the rest "just happened" after she refused to open the safe.

Police said that Rahul Meena (19) is responding to all questions during the interrogation but has changed his statements repeatedly.

They said that Rahul was a gambling addict and was in debt. He had earlier sold off his mobile phone to clear his debt, but couldn't collect sufficient funds. Following this, he resorted to robbery.

"The accused had entered the society around 6 am and waited at a park near the house for the victim's parents to leave for the gym. He then used a spare key to access the apartment and went straight to the rooftop study where the woman was preparing for her civil services examination," according to police sources.

He further said that the moment he reached upstairs, the victim confronted him about his presence. He began demanding money, which led to an argument.

Asked about the rape and murder, he told police that he went there to steal cash. When he asked the girl to open the safe using her fingerprint, she refused, and the crime "just happened".

He hit her multiple times with a heavy object on her head before allegedly strangling her with a mobile phone charging cable and raping her while she was unconscious.

He later dragged her blood-soaked body downstairs and attempted to open the locker using her fingerprint, but failed.

Police said he then broke open the locker using a screwdriver, stole cash and jewellery, changed his blood-stained clothes and slippers, and fled the scene.

To avoid suspicion, the accused made a fake phone call while leaving the house and pretended to be speaking to someone as he walked out of the building towards Dwarka. He also switched off his mobile phone to evade tracking.

"When a car cleaner questioned him about his visit, he casually said he would get his dues back today," the source said.

Investigators believe the robbery was pre-planned, with the accused taking several steps to avoid detection. CCTV footage showed he entered the colony around 6.30 am, accessed the house at 6.49 am and left at about 7.20 am. He was inside the house for over 30 minutes.

The incident came to light when the victim's parents returned home and found her lying in a pool of blood.

The accused, a former domestic help who had worked at the house for eight months before being fired a month ago, was aware of the family's routine, police said.