'Blue Drum' Murder Case: Meerut Court Convicts Muskan Rastogi, Lover Sahil For Murder Of Saurabh Rajput

A Meerut court on September 30 convicted Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla for the murder of Rastogi's husband, Saurabh Rajput, in the case in which Rajput's dismembered body was recovered from a ‘blue drum’ sealed with cement.

District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra pronounced the verdict on Wednesday after a trial that continued for around 13 months and involved 126 hearings. The court will hear the convicts on the question of sentence before deciding the punishment, with the sentencing order expected after 15 days (October 14).

The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment, citing the nature of the offence and the evidence led during the trial.

District Government Counsel Krishna Kumar Chaubey said the court, while holding the two guilty, also referred to a Supreme Court decision concerning punishment in serious crimes and emphasised the importance of the rule of law.

The prosecution case was that Rajput was killed in March 2025 and that his body was subsequently cut into pieces and concealed inside a blue plastic drum, which was filled with cement. Muskan and Sahil were subsequently arrested in connection with the crime.

Both appeared before the court through video conferencing from jail.

During the trial, the prosecution examined 22 witnesses to establish its case, including persons connected with the alleged purchase of materials subsequently linked to the crime.

These included a medicine seller, the person from whom the blue drum was allegedly purchased, a cement seller and a person connected with the purchase of the knife and other utensils.

The prosecution also relied on hotel records and the evidence of hotel managers to establish the movements and stays of the accused at different locations. Cab drivers were also examined regarding their alleged movements.

The prosecution maintained that the evidence, taken together, established the circumstances surrounding Rajput's killing and the subsequent concealment of his body.

The defence, however, had disputed the prosecution case, including pointing to the absence of an eyewitness to the alleged murder and questioning the circumstances in which the accused were implicated.

Alleged murder and concealment of body

Rajput, who had previously worked in the Merchant Navy and was later working in London, had returned to Meerut in February 2025 to spend time with his family.

According to the prosecution case, Rajput was killed at the couple's rented residence in Brahmpuri, Meerut, on the night of March 3, 2025.

The prosecution alleged that Muskan first rendered Rajput unconscious and that Sahil subsequently joined her. Rajput was allegedly stabbed to death and his body was thereafter dismembered. The remains were allegedly placed inside a blue drum and concealed using cement.

The prosecution further alleged that the materials required for disposing of the body had been procured before the killing, forming part of the circumstances relied upon to contend that the crime was planned.

After the alleged murder, Muskan and Sahil are stated to have left for Himachal Pradesh. Muskan subsequently returned to Meerut, following which suspicion arose over Rajput's continued absence. A search of the residence eventually led investigators to the drum containing the remains.

Rajput's elder brother Rahul Kumar had lodged the FIR in the case, following which Muskan and Sahil were arrested on March 19, 2025.

Trial continued for 13 months

The case was transferred to the Meerut District Judge's court in July 2025. The prosecution and defence thereafter completed the examination of witnesses and their respective arguments.

Final arguments concluded on September 17, following which the court fixed September 30 for pronouncement of judgment.

The prosecution had argued that the scientific, forensic and circumstantial evidence established the guilt of both accused.