A bike mechanic was arrested for raping and strangling a nurse in PahadishareefHYDERABAD: A bike mechanic accused of raping and strangling a nurse in Pahadishareef area in Hyderabad allegedly returned to the garage where he worked and went to sleep soon after committing the crime, police said on Monday, even as investigators said he had entered the woman’s room through a window while she was asleep. The accused, a native of Bihar who came to Hyderabad in 2023 for work, was arrested for the rape and murder of the nurse.

Investigators said he had allegedly been watching the woman’s movements for nearly a month before the crime. Police said the accused entered the woman’s room through a window while she was asleep.

When she allegedly resisted the sexual assault, he strangled her to death. “He was allegedly under the influence of alcohol on the day of the offence.

After committing the crime, he returned to the garage and slept. He initially denied any involvement in the case,” police said.'

Woman was unconscious during assault' Police said it is difficult to establish whether the woman was alive when the sexual assault took place. When asked whether the rape occurred after the murder, a police officer said, “Whether the victim had died by then or not cannot be ascertained.”

However, the accused allegedly told investigators that the woman was unconscious when the assault took place. Police said the accused worked at a garage located near the window at the rear of the victim’s room.

About a month before the incident, he allegedly noticed her through the window and subsequently began keeping track of her movements. Mobile data helped crack caseThe crime came to light after the nurse’s friend was unable to contact her and went to her room with a few others.

Finding the door locked, they entered through the window and discovered her dead. The case was initially registered as murder.

Following the medical report, police added sections relating to rape and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police said the accused initially denied any role in the crime.

Investigators later analysed mobile phone tower data and other evidence before questioning him further, following which he allegedly confessed. Hair strands and other forensic evidence were collected from the scene.