NEW DELHI: In the days before he allegedly murdered his domestic help of over 15 years, dermatologist Dr Manish Gupta was struggling with violent thoughts and debating whom to harm, police claimed on Friday.“He was struggling mentally and having violent thoughts. He was contemplating whether he should kill his wife, son or himself,” a senior police officer said. Cops believe the 50-year-old doctor’s deteriorating mental condition, coupled with frequent arguments with his wife over their domestic help, Meena, culminated in Thursday’s brutal killing.According to police, Gupta wanted Meena removed from the household, but his wife opposed the move, insisting that she continue working because she had been a trusted and caring presence in the family’s life for over 15 years. Meena had also helped the family during Gupta’s mother’s prolonged battle with cancer before her death about 18 months ago.On Thursday morning, Meena arrived at the Mount Kailash residence as usual. After finishing household chores, she went to the terrace to hang clothes. Police allege Gupta attacked her there, repeatedly striking her on the head and face with his son’s cricket bat before slitting her throat with a kitchen knife.“The injury on the neck resembles a medical incision,” a senior officer said.Gupta’s 19-year-old son was at home when the incident occurred. Police said Gupta later came downstairs and informed him that he had attacked the domestic worker. His wife was away at the time.When police reached the bungalow after receiving information from a resident who spotted the body from a neighbouring building, they found Gupta sitting on the staircase. According to officers, he told them, “Mujhe faansi de do” (Hang me). A blood-stained knife and bat were recovered from the house.Gupta, a dermatologist, had been undergoing treatment for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder for nearly a decade. Police are examining whether he had discontinued his medication in recent weeks.The victim’s family said they were shocked by the killing. Meena’s son Robin, who works for a private company in Nehru Place, said he had never heard his mother complain about her employer.“I left for work around 6.30am as usual. Later, a relative called to tell me my mother had died. She never complained about ‘doctor sir’ and there were never any issues between them. Why would someone do this?” he said.The killing sparked emotional scenes outside the bungalow as relatives gathered and tried to stop police from taking Gupta away. Officers had to intervene to calm the situation.Friends and neighbours described Gupta as a reserved but well-regarded doctor who had practised dermatology for over two decades and was known for charitable work, including supporting animal welfare groups. Several acquaintances told TOI they had noticed a marked change in his behaviour over the previous few days, describing him as withdrawn and unusually disturbed.For many in Mount Kailash, the tragedy remains difficult to comprehend: a doctor known for treating patients and helping charitable causes, accused of killing a woman who had served his family loyally for more than a decade.
