Delhi: Fashion designer Mala Lakhani's killer was arrested for molestation last year, says her sister

Aarti Sharma, sister of fashion designer Mala Lakhani who was brutally murdered along her domestic help allegedly by her tailor in New Delhi on Wednesday night, said the killer was arrested for molesting a girl, and it was Mala who had helped him get out of jail last year.

Aarti, who claimed the body of her 53-year-old sister at Safdarjung Hospital mortuary on Friday, said her sister was murdered just a hours after she spoke to her.   

"I had spoken to her at around 8.15 pm (on Wednesday). I spoke to her again and we ended up talking till 9.50 pm. She wanted to speak to my daughter but later said she will call us after 'Bigg Boss' gets over. But she never called back," Aarti said.

Mala was a fashion designer and ran a boutique in Green Park. She lived in a plush mansion with high walls and gates in Vasant Kunj. Her servant, Bahadur, would stay in the same house. Rahul Anwar, 24, the tailor employed by Mala, has confessed to killing her. He worked in a workshop in her home, and said she hadn't paid his dues.

Besides Rahul, the police have also arrested his cousin Rahmat, 24, and his friend Wasim, 25.

It was 'Meenu', as Mala was known in her family, who helped get Rahul out of jail when he was arrested for molestation, Aarti said.

"She would always say that Anwar is like my 'bachcha'," Aarti added. 

The bodies of Mala and Bahadur were found with at least 18 stab injuries each. After the killings the accused looted jewellery worth lakhs of rupees and ransacked the house, the police said, adding the incident took place between 10 pm and 11.30 pm on Wednesday.

Around 2.45 am on Thursday, the three men reached the police station to confess to the crime.

(With PTI inputs)