A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut on Wednesday sentenced Muskan Rastogi and her lover, Sahil Shukla, to death for the murder of her husband, Saurabh Rajput, in the high-profile blue drum murder case. The death sentence will require confirmation by the Allahabad High Court, as mandated by law.
During the hearing, District and Sessions Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra referred to the Mahabharata, observing that punishment is also a form of dharma. Muskan and Sahil appeared before the court through video conferencing from jail when the sentence was pronounced. Saurabh’s mother, Renu Rajput, and his brother were present in the courtroom.
The case had sparked widespread outrage across the country. According to the prosecution, Saurabh, a Merchant Navy officer, was murdered on March 3, 2025, after Muskan and Sahil allegedly conspired to eliminate him because of their relationship. They killed him, dismembered his body and concealed the remains in a blue drum filled with cement in an attempt to hide the crime.
Following the verdict, chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” were heard in the courtroom. Lawyers outside the court described the punishment as justice in a “rarest of rare” case and distributed laddus to celebrate the decision.
“Both have been sentenced to death for the crime,” advocate Krishan Kumar Dubey said after the sentencing.
Reacting to the verdict, Saurabh’s mother urged couples who no longer wished to remain together 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.
Family Had Sought Maximum Punishment
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.
According to senior jail superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma, Muskan and Sahil appeared anxious ahead of the sentencing and struggled to sleep 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 in the past. He denied having done so. When asked whether he wished to say anything regarding the sentence, he declined to make a statement.
The two convicts were informed that they would be connected to the court again when the sentence was pronounced.
Jail officials said both had remained distressed since their conviction and that their activities were being monitored. Counselling could be arranged if necessary.
Muskan Anxious to Meet Her Daughter
Muskan’s behaviour in jail has reportedly changed since 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 there are no CCTV cameras in the women’s barracks, jail staff are keeping watch over her.
Muskan has also expressed concern about her young daughter, whom she gave birth to while in jail, and has indicated that she wants to meet her. The jail superintendent said no one had visited her so far.
She has been informed that she can write to her daughter or another person. The jail administration will provide paper and a pen, and the letter will be sent to the specified address after a security check.
Jail Arrangements After Conviction
Jail superintendent Sharma said prison arrangements for Muskan and Sahil would change following their conviction. They would be required to wear the prescribed prison uniform 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 the applicable rules.
Sharma also clarified that prison rules do not permit Muskan and Sahil to meet.
What Happened in the Blue Drum Murder Case?
The murder took place on March 3, 2025. According to the prosecution, Muskan and Sahil killed Saurabh and concealed his dismembered body in a blue drum filled with cement. The drum was discovered at the couple’s residence the following day.
The prosecution maintained that the two planned the murder amid their relationship and wanted to remove Saurabh from their lives.
Last month, a Meerut court convicted Muskan and Sahil of murder and attempting to conceal the body after a trial lasting approximately 13 months and involving 126 hearings.
The trial began in July 2025 in the Meerut district judge’s court. Police filed a chargesheet running to around 1,000 pages, and final arguments concluded on September 17. The court subsequently pronounced its verdict, finding both accused guilty.
The death sentence marks a significant development in the case, although it must be confirmed by the Allahabad High Court before it can be carried out.