In the investigation into the rape and murder of a 22-year-old IIT graduate and daughter of a senior IRS officer in southeast Delhi’s Kailash Hills, critical digital clues, including a stolen mobile phone, hotel Wi-Fi usage, Instagram chats and CCTV footage, proved decisive in tracking down and arresting the accused, Rahul Meena.Police said the case was solved through a combination of technical surveillance and on-ground investigation, supported by CCTV evidence and interrogation inputs.According to investigators, the accused did not own a personal mobile phone, possibly believing this would help him evade detection.However, they discovered he had been using a handset stolen earlier during an alleged harassment incident in Rajasthan’s Alwar, where he is also wanted in a rape case.This stolen device became a crucial lead. By analysing its usage patterns and linking it to recent movements, police established a digital trail. Despite not being registered in his name, the phone was traced through technical surveillance, eventually narrowing down his location.Hotel Wi-Fi logs helped pinpoint locationFurther investigation revealed that after committing the crime, Meena fled the victim’s residence with approximately Rs 2.5 lakh and checked into a hotel in Dwarka, where he accessed the internet using the hotel’s Wi-Fi network.Police relied on Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDR), which log internet usage linked to specific networks, to track the device’s connectivity. These records helped investigators identify the exact location from which the accused was operating, confirming his presence at the Dwarka hotel.At the same time, more than 15 teams were deployed across Delhi and parts of Rajasthan, including Alwar, Jaipur, Dausa, and Rajgarh, based on various leads. However, the Wi-Fi data significantly narrowed the search.Instagram chats with relative provided breakthroughThe third crucial clue came from social media activity. Police found that the accused had been in continuous contact with a relative based in Gurugram via Instagram Messenger while hiding at the hotel.During questioning, the relative provided key information that corroborated the accused’s location and movements. The chat records, combined with IPDR analysis, established a strong digital link to the suspect’s hideout.Officials said this triangulation of evidence—device tracking, Wi-Fi logs, and social media communication—enabled them to act swiftly.CCTV footage and digital trail complete the puzzleWhile digital evidence formed the backbone of the manhunt, CCTV footage provided crucial visual confirmation. According to PTI, cameras captured the accused entering the victim’s colony around 6.30 am, reaching the house at 6.49 am, and leaving around 7.20 am, the period during which the crime is suspected to have occurred.He was seen entering in one set of clothes and exiting in another, carrying a backpack. This matched the sequence reconstructed by investigators using both digital and physical evidence. Accused worked with family for around eight months The accused, a former domestic help who had worked with the family for around eight months, had been dismissed about one-and-a-half months ago following complaints regarding his conduct. He was familiar with the house layout and routine, and allegedly used a spare key to gain entry when the victim was alone at home.Crime detailsPreliminary findings suggest the victim was sexually assaulted and strangled using a mobile phone charging cable after being attacked. Police are awaiting postmortem confirmation.Based on the combined evidence, police arrested Meena from the Dwarka hotel.