Meerut Blue Drum Murder Case: Muskan Rastogi, Sahil Shukla Sentenced To Death
A district court in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death for the murder of Saurabh Rajput, Muskan’s husband, in the widely reported blue drum murder case. The death sentence will require confirmation by the Allahabad High Court under the law.
District and Sessions Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra referred to the Mahabharata while discussing punishment, observing that it could also be understood as a form of dharma. Both convicts appeared before the court through video conferencing from jail.
Saurabh’s mother, Renu Rajput, and his brother were present in court during the proceedings.
Following the announcement, slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” were heard inside the courtroom. Several lawyers outside the court described the verdict as justice in a “rarest of rare” case and distributed sweets to mark the decision.
Saurabh Rajput’s Family Seeks Maximum Punishment
Reacting to the sentence, Saurabh’s mother urged couples facing difficulties in their relationships to separate rather than resort to violence.
“If you don’t want to live together, separate, but don’t kill someone’s child. For us, our child has not gone anywhere. His memories are in every corner of the house,” she said.
She added that those responsible for such crimes should face the consequences of their actions.
Earlier on Wednesday, Muskan’s parents submitted a written statement to the court saying they would not oppose the death penalty if it was awarded to their daughter. Saurabh’s family had also sought the maximum punishment for both convicts.
Advocate Krishan Kumar Dubey confirmed the outcome, saying both had been sentenced to death for the crime.
Muskan And Sahil Were Anxious Before Sentencing
According to senior jail superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma, Muskan and Sahil appeared anxious ahead of the sentencing and had difficulty sleeping on Tuesday night.
Both reportedly ate very little at dinner and barely touched their breakfast on Wednesday.
During the video-conferencing proceedings, the judge asked Sahil whether he had committed any offence previously. He denied having done so. When asked if he wished to say anything about the sentence, he declined to make a statement.
Jail officials said the two had remained distressed since their conviction and that their activities were being monitored. Counselling could be arranged if necessary.
Muskan Expresses Desire To Meet Her Daughter
Muskan’s behaviour reportedly changed after her conviction. According to Sharma, she has been avoiding conversations with other women inmates, prefers to remain alone and spends much of her time praying.
As the women’s barracks do not have CCTV cameras, jail staff are monitoring her.
Muskan has also expressed anxiety about her young daughter, whom she gave birth to while in jail, and a desire to meet her. Sharma said no one had visited her so far.
The jail administration has told Muskan that she can write a letter to her daughter or another person. Paper and a pen would be provided, and the letter would be sent to the specified address after a security check.
Jail Arrangements To Change After Conviction
Sharma said prison arrangements for both convicts would change following their conviction. They would be required to wear the prescribed prison uniforms and could be assigned work in accordance with the jail manual.
Depending on administrative requirements and availability, Sahil could be transferred to another prison, while Muskan could be moved to a designated women’s prison under applicable rules.
The superintendent also said prison rules do not permit Muskan and Sahil to meet.
What Happened In The Blue Drum Murder Case?
The case concerns the murder of Saurabh Rajput, a Merchant Navy officer, on March 3, 2025. According to the prosecution, Muskan and Sahil planned the killing amid their relationship and wanted to remove Saurabh from their lives.
The prosecution alleged that the two killed Saurabh, dismembered his body and concealed the remains inside a blue drum filled with cement in an attempt to hide the crime. The drum was discovered at the couple’s home the following day.
A Meerut court convicted Muskan and Sahil in September 2026 of murder and attempting to conceal the body, following a trial that lasted around 13 months and involved 126 hearings.
The trial began in July 2025 before the Meerut district judge’s court. Police filed a chargesheet of approximately 1,000 pages, while final arguments concluded on September 17. The court subsequently fixed September 30 for the verdict and found both accused guilty.
The death sentence announced on Wednesday marks the latest development in the case, though it must be confirmed by the Allahabad High Court before it can be carried out.