Doctor killed house help in Delhi: Police probe ‘bad energy’ claim, past disagreements

A 50-year-old dermatologist has been arrested for allegedly murdering his domestic worker on the terrace of his apartment in south Delhi’s upscale Mount Kailash area on Thursday morning, police said.

Investigators allege that Dr Manish Gupta attacked the woman with a bat before stabbing her with a sharp object. The victim, identified as 45-year-old Meena Haldar, had worked with Gupta’s family for around 10-12 years.

According to police officials, Gupta’s family had differences over Haldar’s employment but there had been no major dispute. AIIMS doctors told investigators that Haldar died from severe injuries to her neck.

Police said Gupta claimed during questioning that he killed Haldar because she brought “bad energy” into the house and that he believed it was affecting his son’s studies.

An investigator said Gupta felt ignored by his family after his repeated requests to remove Haldar from the job were not accepted. Police said he claimed the attack was carried out in anger and was not pre-planned.

Gupta’s teenage son was inside the apartment at the time of the incident and told investigators that he was unaware of what had happened. His wife, also a doctor, said the family had discussed Gupta’s concerns about Haldar’s employment but there was no further argument after she disagreed.

Police officials also said Gupta’s wife and son informed them that he had been undergoing mental health treatment and had been taking antidepressants for about a decade. Investigators are verifying his medical records and speaking to doctors to determine whether there was any recent behavioural change.

Haldar’s family said they were struggling to understand the reason behind the killing and demanded a fair investigation. Her son Robin said the family was in shock and questioned whether Gupta acted alone.

According to police, Gupta followed Haldar to the terrace after she went there to hang clothes. The incident took place between around 11.15 am and 11.30 am after his wife had left for work.

Investigators said Gupta allegedly hit Haldar on the head with a bat, causing her to collapse, and then attacked her with a knife. He later returned downstairs and left the alleged weapons near the staircase, where police recovered blood-stained items.