Meerut Blue Drum Murder: Muskan Rastogi, Sahil Shukla Get Death Sentence for Killing Saurabh Rajput

Meerut, Uttar Pradesh: A court in Meerut has sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death for the murder of Saurabh Rajput, whose body was hidden inside a drum filled with a cement mixture in March 2025.

District Judge Arvind Kumar announced the sentences after hearing the case. According to prosecution lawyer Vijay Bahadur, both convicts were awarded the death penalty and fined ₹20,000 each. The court also awarded them seven-year prison terms under other sections of the law.

The case shocked the country because of the brutal nature of the murder and the attempt to conceal the body. The sentencing marks a major development in the case, although the death sentences must still be reviewed by the High Court before they can be carried out. Both convicts appeared in court through video conferencing from jail. Before the sentence was announced, the judge questioned them on several issues, including aspects related to the forensic report, according to Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma, who spoke to news agency IANS.

Who was Saurabh Rajput?

Saurabh Rajput was a 29-year-old man who had worked in the Merchant Navy and was living in London before returning to Meerut in February 2025.

He married Muskan Rastogi in 2016 after the two fell in love, despite opposition from their families. The couple had a daughter, Pihu, born in 2019.

Saurabh returned to India on February 24, 2025, to spend time with his family. According to the prosecution, he was murdered in early March, just days after his return.

How did the murder come to light?

According to the police investigation and prosecution's account, the killing took place at the couple's home in Meerut on March 3, 2025.

Investigators alleged that Muskan and Sahil killed Saurabh and cut his body into pieces. They then placed the remains inside a plastic drum and filled it with a mixture of cement and sand to hide the crime.

After the murder, the two reportedly travelled to Himachal Pradesh, visiting places including Shimla and Manali.

Saurabh's family became concerned when they could not contact him. The case came to light in March 2025, when police recovered his remains from the drum at the Meerut residence. Muskan and Sahil were arrested on March 18, 2025.

The discovery shocked the public because of the way the body had been concealed and the circumstances surrounding the murder. Investigators collected forensic evidence, witness statements and other material during the investigation.

What evidence did the prosecution present?

The prosecution relied on several types of evidence to establish the case against the two accused. These included forensic findings, witness testimony and evidence gathered during the investigation.

The trial lasted around 13 months and involved 126 hearings. The court examined 22 prosecution witnesses before convicting Muskan and Sahil on September 30, 2026. The sentencing hearing followed on October 14.

The prosecution argued that the crime was exceptionally serious and deserved the death penalty. The court accepted the prosecution's request and awarded capital punishment to both convicts.

Saurabh's family wanted the death penalty

Before the sentence was announced, Saurabh's brother Rahul said the family's only hope from the beginning had been that the accused would receive the death penalty.

He also said the two accused appeared worried and had reportedly been eating and sleeping poorly in the days before the sentencing.

According to Rahul, Muskan had been asking to meet her elder daughter, who is around seven years old. The child had not yet been brought to meet her at the time of his statement.

The family's demand for the harshest punishment reflected the pain and anger caused by the murder. The verdict represents a major development in their long wait for justice.

Is the death sentence final?

No. A death sentence awarded by a Sessions Court in India must be confirmed by the relevant High Court before it can be carried out. The convicts can also challenge their convictions and sentences through the legal process.

This safeguard allows a higher court to examine whether the conviction and the extreme punishment are supported by the law and evidence.

The Meerut court's decision is therefore an important trial-court verdict, but the final legal outcome will depend on the confirmation and appeal process.