Autopsy reveals nasal bone fracture, assault in IRS officer's daughter murder case

New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 24, 2026 11:57 IST

The autopsy report of the 22-year-old daughter of an Indian Revenue Service officer, who was found dead at her home in southeast Delhi on Wednesday, revealed multiple abrasions and abraded contusions on both arms, hands, and legs, along with a fracture of the nasal bone.

The injuries indicate that she resisted the assault allegedly carried out by her former domestic servant, who is also the main accused in the case. The cause of death has been confirmed as strangulation.

Dr Sudhir Gupta, head of the Forensic Department at AIIMS, Delhi, told news agency PTI that the victim was taken to Fortis Escorts Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. He said the external examination showed several injuries that were consistent with a struggle.

Giving details of the post-mortem, Gupta said multiple lacerations with abrasions were found on the face, and the nasal bone fracture suggested blunt-force impact. He said the pattern of injuries indicated resistance by the victim.

During the dissection of the neck, doctors found intramuscular haemorrhage in the sternocleidomastoid, sternothyroid and sternohyoid muscles. Both horns of the thyroid cartilage were fractured, while the hyoid bone was intact. All internal organs were found congested, which doctors said was consistent with asphyxial death caused by strangulation.

Gupta said several samples had been preserved for forensic examination, including viscera, ligature material with tape lift, nail scrapings, blood in gauze and swabs from the private parts. He said, "The findings show death due to strangulation following assault. The preserved swabs and nail scrapings have been sent for further analysis to ascertain whether rape took place."

The forensic findings are part of the investigation into the rape and killing at Kailash Hills in southeast Delhi. According to police sources, the accused, Rahul Meena, entered the house with a spare key and went directly to the victim's rooftop study, where she had been preparing for the civil service examination.

Police alleged that he attacked her there, strangled her with a mobile phone charging cable and hit her with a heavy object. Investigators believe he raped her while she was unconscious and then dragged her downstairs.

According to investigators, he then tried to open a locker using the victim's fingerprint. When that did not work, he allegedly broke it open with a screwdriver and took away cash and jewellery.

Police said the accused changed his blood-stained clothes and slippers before fleeing, around 30 minutes before the victim's parents returned home. CCTV footage, according to police, shows him entering the colony at about 6.30 am and leaving by 7.20 am.

Meena, who earlier worked at the house as domestic help, was arrested from a hotel in Dwarka within hours of the crime. Officials said he is also suspected to be involved in another rape case in Rajasthan's Alwar.

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