• Delhi Police arrested dermatologist Dr. Manish Gupta in connection with the death of his long-time domestic worker at his Mount Kailash residence.
• Investigators recovered suspected weapons from the residence, and the motive behind the incident remains under investigation.
• Police are awaiting forensic and post-mortem findings while verifying medical records referenced by the accused's family.
A Delhi-based dermatologist was arrested after his long-time domestic worker was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death at his residence in South Delhi's Mount Kailash area. According to Delhi Police, the victim, identified as Meena Haldar, was found lying in a pool of blood on the terrace after a neighbor alerted the authorities. Police said the accused, Dr. Manish Gupta, was present at the scene and was taken into custody. A murder case has been registered, and investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari, Delhi Police received a PCR call at around 11:36 a.m. reporting that a woman was lying on the terrace of an apartment building in South Delhi's Mount Kailash area. Officers rushed to the scene and found Meena Haldar dead.
"He has admitted hitting the victim with a bat and later attacked her with a knife," Tiwari said. Police recovered the cricket bat and knife, which have been sent for forensic examination.
Meena, originally from Kolkata, had worked at the doctor's residence for over a decade, according to police. Her body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and Delhi Police are continuing their investigation into the alleged murder.
Delhi Police said the exact motive behind the alleged killing has not yet been established, and the investigation is continuing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said, "As of now, the doctor has admitted to the crime and said he was upset with the domestic help. The family has also claimed that he was undergoing treatment for mental health issues for the last 10 years. We are checking all medical documents."
Investigators are also examining whether disagreements within the family over Meena Haldar's continued employment may have played a role in the events leading up to the alleged killing.
Separately, a senior police officer quoted by Hindustan Times said Dr. Gupta told investigators he wanted Meena Haldar removed from the job, while other family members were opposed to the decision. He felt ignored by his family. The officer further alleged that the accused believed she was bringing "bad energy" into the house and suspected her of practicing black magic, which he claimed was affecting his son's studies. Delhi Police have not officially confirmed these claims as the motive behind the alleged offence, and the investigation is ongoing. No official finding has linked any mental health condition to the alleged crime.
The family of the accused told Delhi Police that Dr. Manish Gupta had reportedly been receiving treatment for mental health issues for several years.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said authorities are verifying the relevant medical records, and no official finding has linked any reported mental health condition to the alleged offence.
According to research published in World Psychiatry, mental disorders are neither necessary nor sufficient causes of violence, and people living with serious mental illness are more often victims of violence than perpetrators. Researchers have also noted that public perceptions frequently overestimate the relationship between mental illness and violent crime.¹
Delhi Police said the motive behind the alleged killing remains under investigation, and authorities are continuing to examine forensic evidence, witness statements, and other findings related to the case.
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Police have recovered the suspected murder weapons and are awaiting the post-mortem examination report as part of the investigation. Authorities are also verifying the medical records referred to by the accused's family while continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing.
A neighbour, Amit Vohra, told Hindustan Times, "We have known the doctor for years... We never thought this would happen."
Family members of Meena Haldar and several domestic workers gathered outside the apartment after the incident, demanding a thorough investigation.
"If she was not doing her work properly, they could have just removed her. Why kill her?" her daughter-in-law, Saptami, told reporters.
1. Stuart, Heather. “Violence and Mental Illness: An Overview.” World Psychiatry 2, no. 2 (2003): 121–124. Accessed June 20, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1525086/
(Rh/TP/MSM)