Blue Drum Case: Muskan, Sahil Get Death Penalty; One Legal Step Before Execution

Blue Drum Case: A trial court in Meerut on Wednesday awarded the death sentence to Muskan Rastogi and her partner, Sahil Shukla, in the heinous ‘blue-drum’ case for murdering her husband, Saurabh Rajput, a Navy officer by profession. The murder was committed on the night of March 3, 2025, when Rajput was visiting home from London to celebrate his wife’s and daughter’s birthdays.

According to court officials, District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra pronounced the sentence in the virtual presence of Muskan and Sahil, who were produced before the court through video conferencing. However, a death sentence awarded by a trial court cannot be executed until it is confirmed by the High Court. The sentence will be referred to the High Court for confirmation as required by law. The two convicts may also appeal against the verdict, arguing that the death sentence is harsh and that the case rests on circumstantial evidence, as no one witnessed the murder.

Muskan Seeks Leniency, DGC Rules It Out

During the sentencing proceedings, Muskan pleaded that she had two daughters to take care of. On this matter, District Government Counsel (DGC) Krishan Kumar Choubey, who prosecuted the case, said that no leniency should be shown in such serious crimes on the grounds that the convicts have a daughter or a son. They have committed a crime and will be punished accordingly, he added.

“They have received the punishment they deserve, and no concession has been given. If anyone shows sympathy or leniency towards the accused in such a case, it would amount to making a mockery of the law,” the DGC said. When asked what might happen next, he replied, “There is nothing ahead.”

22 Witnesses Examined During Trial

Since the two convicts still have the option of approaching the High Court, they may argue that the prosecution's case was based on circumstantial evidence. However, the absence of eyewitnesses does not, by itself, invalidate a conviction. The prosecution presented 22 witnesses during the trial, including those who allegedly sold the drum, knife and other materials linked to the crime. Hotel managers and cab drivers were also examined to establish the movements of the accused.

The verdict was announced after 126 hearings during the trial.

How The Blue-Drum Murder Was Committed

On March 3, 2025, Muskan allegedly drugged Saurabh, rendering him unconscious. Shortly afterwards, Sahil entered her house, and the duo stabbed Saurabh to death. To conceal the crime, they stuffed his body into a drum and poured cement over it, allegedly attempting to conceal the remains and destroy evidence.

Muskan and Sahil left the drum at the house and fled to Kasol in Himachal Pradesh. When Saurabh’s family grew suspicious over his sudden disappearance, police searched the house, discovered the cement-filled drum and recovered his remains. Their escape was cut short when police arrested them on March 18, 2025.

The Meerut District Court found Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla guilty of murder and destruction of evidence on September 30, 2026. On October 14, 2026, the court handed down the death sentence to both convicts.

(With Inputs from PTI)