Blue Drum Murder Case: Meerut Court Sentences Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to Death

A Meerut court on Wednesday sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death for the gruesome murder of Saurabh Rajput, a Merchant Navy officer whose dismembered body was discovered inside a blue plastic drum filled with cement in March 2025. The court classified the crime as falling under the “rarest of rare” category, warranting the maximum punishment under law.

District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra pronounced the sentence on October 14, 2026, after convicting the duo on September 30. The verdict followed a trial spanning approximately 13 months, during which the prosecution examined 22 witnesses.

The case shocked the country because of the alleged planning and brutality involved in the killing. In early March 2025, Muskan and Sahil allegedly drugged Saurabh at their home in Meerut, stabbed him to death and dismembered his body. They then placed the remains inside a blue plastic drum, sealed it with cement and subsequently fled to Shimla.

The discovery of the body and the circumstances surrounding the murder triggered widespread outrage, turning the case into one of the most closely followed criminal investigations in Uttar Pradesh.

Saurabh’s mother and brother were present in court when the sentence was pronounced. Muskan’s parents also appeared before the judge and reportedly said they would not oppose the death penalty. Both convicts attended the proceedings through video conferencing from jail and remained silent, according to the account of the hearing.

The court invoked principles of dharma while delivering its verdict, underscoring the gravity of the crime and the need for punishment proportionate to its brutality.

However, the death sentence does not mean the legal battle has ended. Under Indian law, a death sentence awarded by a sessions court must be confirmed by the High Court before it can be carried out. The convicts can also challenge the verdict through further appeals and other legal remedies.

The case is therefore likely to enter a prolonged judicial process, during which the conviction and sentence will face scrutiny by higher courts. The final outcome will depend on the findings of those courts and the legal challenges pursued by the accused.