NEW DELHI: Police have found a curved khukri-like knife that Dr Manish Gupta allegedly used to slit the throat of his domestic help, Meena, at his south Delhi residence on June 19.The weapon was part of a collection of similar knives that the dermatologist had accumulated at his Mount Kailash home over the years from various states, police said.Police had earlier said Meena arrived at the Guptas’ home for work and went to the terrace to hang laundry.Investigators alleged that Gupta attacked her there, first repeatedly striking her with his son’s cricket bat, then slitting her throat with the khukri. “A slit mark found on Meena’s neck was similar to a medical incision,” a senior police officer had said.A khukri is a traditional curved knife with a broad inward-bending blade and often used as both a utility tool and weapon.Police said that Gupta had three or four such khukris as souvenirs.The recovery of the knife could play a crucial role in the forensic examination.Gupta, a 50-year-old dermatologist, was arrested for killing the 45-year-old house help, who had worked for the family for more than 15 years. A court has remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.The murder came to light after a resident of a nearby building spotted Meena lying motionless on the terrace and alerted police.

Officers who reached the spot found Gupta inside the house. According to investigators, he allegedly told them, “Mujhe faansi de do (hang me).”The probe has also revealed that Gupta was under psychiatric treatment for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder for nearly a decade. Police are examining whether he had stopped taking his medicines. Investigators suspect that tensions at home over whether Meena should continue working may be a factor to consider.A senior police officer said, “The family has said that this was his first and only violent episode, but we are verifying this claim.”A police source said that the couple has been married for almost two decades.Meena, from West Bengal, is survived by her husband, son and daughter.