Historic Death Sentence in Meerut Blue Drum Murder Case
In a landmark ruling, Meerut court sentences Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil to death for the murder of her husband, Saurabh Rajput.
Meerut, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : In a significant verdict, a court in Meerut has sentenced Muskaan Rastogi and her boyfriend Sahil to death for the murder of Muskaan’s husband, Saurabh Rajput. This decision was announced on October 14, 2026, by District Judge Arvind Kumar. The two were present via video conferencing from jail during the sentencing and remained silent as the judgment was delivered.
The case, which has captivated the nation, saw the court reach a decision after approximately 18 months of proceedings. The prosecution presented testimonies from 22 witnesses, including those who allegedly sold the knife used in the murder and the blue drum where the dismembered body was concealed. Based on this evidence, the court found both defendants guilty.
Muskaan and Sahil were convicted of killing Saurabh and dismembering his body, which was then placed in a blue drum. This gruesome act shocked the public and garnered widespread media attention.
On September 30, the court had already declared Muskaan and Sahil guilty of murder, with the sentencing following shortly after. The trial commenced in July 2025 and included over 126 hearings spanning 13 months, during which the prosecution called multiple witnesses.
Saurabh’s family had consistently demanded the death penalty for the accused. Prior to the sentencing, Saurabh’s mother expressed her hopes during the Navratri festival that justice would be served. She stated that if there were a punishment harsher than death, it should be imposed on the guilty.
Saurabh’s brother, Rahul Rajput, echoed the call for the death penalty, emphasizing the family’s relentless pursuit of justice. He indicated that if the court did not rule in their favor, they would appeal to higher courts.
Police arrested Muskaan and Sahil on March 19, 2025, after uncovering that Saurabh’s body had been dismembered and hidden in a blue drum at their home. The case has drawn significant attention across the country, culminating in this landmark ruling.
