New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) The killing of a 22-year-old UPSC aspirant, who was known for her quiet, ambitious and studious demeanour, has left residents of her Kailash Hills neighbourhood devastated, mourning the loss of a bright future they envisioned for her.
The daughter of a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, was allegedly raped and murdered at her residence in southeast Delhi’s upscale Kailash Hills locality, police said.
The IIT Delhi graduate, spoke often of becoming an IAS officer and spent most of her time buried in books, according to neighbours, who said her dream “belonged to everyone”.
They remembered her discipline, taciturn persona, and an unwavering belief that she would clear the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination in her very first attempt.
Greater Kailash MLA Shikha Roy said the victim was a bright and talented young woman with a promising future, and her death is a painful loss for the entire community.
“I have known her personally for several years and have seen her grow up as a sincere, disciplined and exceptionally talented girl. She was brilliant in her studies, had completed engineering from IIT Delhi, and was preparing for the UPSC examination with great determination.
“She was an equally good dancer and other cultural activities, and despite being deeply focused on her studies, she remained humble and connected with people around her,” Roy said.
The BJP MLA said the family was in deep shock and not in a condition to speak about the incident.
“The mother and father are devastated and are not in a position to say anything right now. The police and forensic teams are investigating the matter, and I hope the accused is identified and arrested at the earliest.
“Whoever has committed such a heinous crime must be given the strictest punishment so that it sends a strong message and justice is ensured,” she added.
Hussain, who has lived in the neighbourhood for over a decade, said, “She was the kind of child parents ask their own children to emulate.” “She hardly ever came downstairs; did not waste her time. She was always studying. No social media, no unnecessary distractions — just books, classes and that one dream of becoming an IAS officer. Even when she spoke, it was always about studies or her plans. She was very sure she would make it,” he added.
Hussain said the family had shifted to their current residence around 15 years ago from another apartment nearby, and they were known for their simple and quiet lifestyle.
An elderly neighbour, who claimed to have known her since she was four years old, said her family and the locality proudly watched her grow up.
“I have seen her since she was a little girl running around in the colony. Even then, she was different — calm, sincere and always focused. Later, when she cleared the IIT entrance examination, everyone here felt proud as if our own daughter had achieved something big,” he said.
But her real dream was always UPSC. She was confident she would clear it this year. “And honestly, we all believed she would. Her parents were proud and they were waiting for the day sweets would be distributed for her result,” he said.
Another resident of the area, Sunita Sharma, said the tragedy has left women in the area deeply unsettled.
“This happened in the morning, inside her own house, in a locality people consider safe. If a girl who stayed home and studied all day is not safe, then what are we supposed to tell our daughters?” she said.
“People are frightened. Since morning, every mother in this colony has been talking about the same thing — fear. We are not sleeping peacefully tonight,” Sharma added.
According to police, she was found dead in a room at her residence by her family members.
Preliminary inquiry suggests she was allegedly raped before being strangled to death using a mobile phone charger cable, sources said. She was alone at home at the time of the incident.
Renu Verma, who often saw the victim returning from classes, said she was an inspiration without even trying to be one. “Parents used to mention her as an example — how disciplined she was, how serious she was about her future. She had that spark, that confidence that she would do something big,” Verma said.
Police said further investigation is underway to catch the accused identified as Rahul. PTI SHB PRK
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