Statement recorded by Inspector D.S. Rathore, Crimes Branch, at 14 Tughlak Lane, 15 April 2025, commencing 09:15. Witness: Ramkishan s/o Bahadur Singh, domestic staff (housekeeper/caretaker), employed at 14 Tughlak Lane for eleven years. Statement recorded in Hindi and translated; original Hindi transcript on file. Witness has not been cautioned. Statement is voluntary.
Q: Describe your duties at 14 Tughlak Lane and your schedule on 14 April 2025.
I am the permanent housekeeper and caretaker at this property. I live in the staff quarters at the rear of the property. On 14 April, I was on normal duties. Sahib had told me the day before that he would have a guest in the evening, between 9 PM and perhaps 10 or 10:30. He asked me to prepare the study, keep whisky and two glasses on the desk, and not to disturb him unless called. He did not tell me the name of the guest.
Q: What happened during the evening of 14 April?
At approximately 7 PM, a lady arrived by auto. I let her in — she asked for Sahib and I took her to the drawing room. She stayed for about an hour and a half, maybe less. Sahib and she spoke in the drawing room; I brought tea. She left on foot at around 8:40 or 8:45 PM. I did not hear what they spoke about. After she left, Sahib went up to his study. At around 9 PM I heard the gate bell — the intercom — and Sahib called down on the house intercom to open the gate for his guest. A white car — a big SUV, MUV type — came in. The driver stayed with the car. One gentleman went up to the study. I went to my room in the rear quarters.
Q: Were you present throughout the evening? Did you leave the property?
I was in my room from approximately 9:10 PM. At around 9:45 to 9:50, my sister called me on the phone — she was unwell and asked me to come. The property is about 15 minutes' walk from here. I told her I would come for a short while. I left through the rear service gate — that gate does not require any key from inside. I was gone for approximately 30 to 35 minutes. I returned at approximately 10:20 to 10:25 PM.
Q: When you returned, what did you observe?
When I came back, I noticed the white MUV had left — the gate was closed as normal. I assumed the guest had left and Sahib had closed the gate himself or the driver had done so from outside. I went back to my room. At around 10:45, I went to the main house to check if Sahib wanted dinner or tea. The study door on the first floor was ajar. I knocked, there was no response. I pushed the door and found Sahib on the floor. I called the police control room immediately.
Q: You mentioned a key detail — the gate. Can you clarify how the gate operates?
The main front gate has two methods to open from outside. One is a remote control — Sahib kept one in his car, and I believe there was one in his study desk drawer. The other is an intercom button at the gate pillar, which rings inside the house and in the staff quarters. I did not hear the intercom ring while I was in my room between 9:10 and 9:45. When I returned at 10:20, I used my own key for the rear service gate. I do not know how the white car's gate was opened for exit.
Q: Did you handle or move anything in the study before the police arrived?
I did not touch anything in the study. I left immediately to call the police. I did not move Sahib or touch any objects. One thing I noticed — the desk was not in its usual order. Papers were scattered and the pen was on the floor. That was unusual. Sahib was very particular about his desk.
Pooja Devi (sister of Ramkishan), 42 Safdarjung Village, New Delhi — separate statement recorded 15 April 2025, 11:30 by SI Tiwari. Pooja confirms her brother visited her between approximately 21:50 and 22:20 on 14 April. Her mobile call to Ramkishan is confirmed by CDR (IMSI **177, outbound call 21:41 — see E04). The walk time from 14 Tughlak Lane to Safdarjung Village is estimated at 12–16 minutes.