Meerut court convicts two in Saurabh Rajput murder case

A Meerut district court has convicted Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla in the murder of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput, concluding a trial that lasted 13 months and included 126 hearings. District Judge Arvind Mishra delivered the verdict on Wednesday, according to government counsel Krishna Kumar Chaubey. The court will decide the punishment after hearing submissions from the two convicts, with the sentencing order expected after 15 days.

The case became known as the “Blue Drum” murder case. The prosecution alleged that Rajput was killed in March 2025, after which his body was dismembered and concealed inside a blue drum that was filled with cement. The remains were later discovered at the couple’s house.

Muskan Rastogi was Rajput’s wife, while Sahil Shukla was described in the case as her lover. Both appeared in court virtually from the local jail where they are being held. Mr.

Chaubey said the court referred to a Supreme Court order concerning strict punishment in serious crimes. He said the judge had observed that appropriate punishment should reinforce the rule of law. The prosecution examined 22 witnesses.

They included people connected with the purchases of the drum, cement, knife and utensils, as well as a medicine seller. Hotel managers and cab drivers were also examined, with records used to address the accused persons’ stays and movements, the counsel said. The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment, citing the nature of the crime and the evidence presented at trial.

Mr. Chaubey said the court was competent to impose the death penalty, but stressed that the final decision rested with the judge. The sentencing stage will allow both convicts to make submissions before punishment is determined.