But Meena, who is showing no signs of remorse after allegedly committing the heinous crime, told the police that if didi (sister) had not refused to give him money, this would not have happened.

A 22-year-old woman, daughter of a senior Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer, an engineering graduate and UPSC aspirant, was found dead in a pool of blood with serious injuries on her body, at her residence in southeast Delhi's Kailash Hills locality on April 22.

During interrogation Meena claimed that he had sneaked into a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer's house in South Delhi's upscale Kailash Hills to get money. When asked why he hit the victim, Meena said, "I came with the intent of stealing money and jewellery. But didi started shouting, resisting, and stopping me. I hit her with a lamp and she fell unconscious."

He repeatedly said: "Main maarna nahi chahta tha par ho gaya (I didn't want to kill her, but it just happened")

No remorse, the killing

Investigators say Meena remains calm, shows little regret, and has repeatedly changed his statements. According to the police, Meena shows no signs of remorse.

Meena used to work at the IRS officer's house at a salary of Rs 20,000 along with bonuses for eight months before he was asked to leave, owing to his habit of borrowing money from domestic workers in the neighbourhood and goods from shopkeepers.

Familiar with the house layout and routine, he allegedly used a spare key to enter the residence and went straight to the rooftop study. The victim, an IIT graduate, was preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam when Meena stepped into the study. When questioned about his presence, Meena claimed: "Aunty ne bulaya tha kaam se (Aunty called me for some work)."

Meena then demanded money. Her refusal led to a heated argument between the two, which soon turned violent. The woman was struck with a bottle and a lamp, resulting in injuries across her face and body, and she was strangled with a mobile charging cable.

He then raped her while unconscious. He dragged her body downstairs and attempted to access the family's locker using her blood-stained finger on the biometric scanner, but failed. According to the police sources, the woman had probably died by then, which may be why the biometric scanner did not recognise her thumb impression.

Ex-help raped Alwar woman before killing IRS officer's daughter in Delhi: Police

Breaking the locker open with a screwdriver, he stole Rs 2 lakh in cash and jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh, changed his clothes, and fled. He reached Palam Railway Station to catch a train to Rewari in Haryana. But when he failed to catch the train, he booked a hotel in Dwarka, from where he was arrested.

'Serious and brutal crime'

Police later recovered most of the stolen property, out of which he had spent about Rs 7,000.

Appearing before Judicial Magistrate Deepika Thakaran, Meena admitted, "Mujhse apradh ho gaya… galti ho gayi" (I committed a crime, a mistake). Describing the allegations as an "exceptionally serious and brutal crime", the judicial magistrate granted four days of police custody for further investigation.

Police have booked Meena under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rape, murder, and robbery.

Wanted money at all cost

Police have said that Meena continues to maintain a composed and calm demeanor throughout the investigation so far.

When asked if he was scared of what he did, Meena reiterated that he came with the intent of taking money. "I wanted money anyhow," the accused said, according to reports.

Investigators also tried to question the accused on moral grounds, considering he had worked for the family for nearly eight months. "Wo log to mere liye bhagwan the. Bahut ache the dono. Lekin mujhe paisa chahiye tha (They were like gods to me. Both were very good. But I wanted money)," the teen said.

Known for violent behaviour

Reports also said Meena was known for violent behaviour in his village and displayed psychopathic tendencies, prompting plans for a detailed psychological assessment.

Officials also revealed his addiction to online betting and card games like teen patti, which cost him over ₹7 lakh in recent months. To sustain the habit, he frequently borrowed money, a pattern investigators believe pushed him deeper into crime.

Investigators, however, believe that Meena had come with the intention to rape, since he is suspected of raping another woman in Alwar hours before he committed the heinous crime in Delhi.

Authorities plan a psycho-analysis to assess his mental state, citing his unusual composure and lack of remorse.

Autopsy report

The autopsy, conducted at AIIMS Delhi, has confirmed that the girl died due to strangulation. The report reveals multiple injuries on the victim's body, including bruises on her arms, hands, legs and face, and a fracture of the nasal bone. The postmortem and forensic analysis have corroborated sexual assault, alongside extensive physical injuries.