Muskan Rastogi (M) and Sahil Shukla (R) have been sentenced to death for the murder of Muskan's husband, Saurabh Rajput (L)
MEERUT: A Meerut court on Wednesday sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death for murdering Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy officer and Rastogi’s husband, whose dismembered remains were concealed in a blue plastic drum at his house in Meerut’s BrahmpuriThe court had convicted the two on September 30 of murder and destruction of evidence after a trial spanning around 13 months, 126 hearings and statements from 22 prosecution witnesses.The prosecution had sought capital punishment, arguing that the crime fell within the “rarest of rare” category.
How the murder unfolded
Rajput, 35, had returned to Meerut from London in late February 2025 and he was killed on March 4.Police alleged that Rastogi and Shukla drugged Rajput before stabbing him to death. His body was then dismembered and the remains placed inside a drum sealed with cement.Investigators said the accused had initially considered disposing of the body in a suitcase but turned to the drum after they could not fit the remains inside it.The remains were discovered after a foul smell emanated from the drum in mid-March.Police arrested Rastogi and Shukla after they returned from a trip to Himachal Pradesh.
- February 24-25, 2025: Saurabh Rajput returns to Meerut from London. Muskan Rastogi’s birthday is celebrated the following day.
- March 4, 2025: Muskan and Sahil Shukla allegedly drug Saurabh, stab him to death and dismember his body. His remains are packed into a blue drum with cement and sand. The duo leaves for Himachal Pradesh.
- Mid-March 2025: Muskan allegedly tells her maternal family about the murder. A police case follows, and Saurabh’s remains are recovered from the drum on March 17.
- March 18, 2025: Muskan and Sahil are arrested.
- March 19, 2025: A court sends the duo to 14 days of judicial custody.
- May 12, 2025: Police file a nearly 1,000-page chargesheet, including around 34 witness statements. The charges include murder and destruction of evidence.
- November 24, 2025: Muskan gives birth to a girl while in custody. She and the newborn are shifted to a women’s barrack. Saurabh’s family seeks a DNA test to establish the child’s paternity.
- March 2025-September 2026: The trial spans around 13 months, with 22 prosecution witnesses examined.
- September 17, 2026: Final arguments conclude, with the prosecution seeking the for both accused.
- September 30, 2026: Muskan and Sahil are convicted of murder and destruction of evidence. The court fixes October 14 for sentencing.
- October 14, 2026: A Meerut court sentences Muskan and Sahil to death.
Police filed a chargesheet running to more than 1,000 pages in May 2025. It included forensic reports, call detail records, CCTV footage and statements from people connected to the investigation.Among those whose statements were recorded were Rajput’s parents and brother, Rastogi’s parents, a cab driver, a medical store owner, sellers of the knife and drum and the cement shop owner.
Investigators also recorded statements from hotel owners in Shimla, Manali and Kasauli, where the accused allegedly stayed after the killing.Police said there was no eyewitness to the murder. The prosecution relied on the evidence gathered during the investigation to establish the case against the two accused.
Rajput’s mother, Renu Devi, had demanded the death penalty after the conviction. Speaking to reporters following the September 30 verdict, she said the family had waited 18 months for justice and wanted nothing less than capital punishment for the two.