Meerut Court Sentences Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to Death
The October 14 verdict punishes both for Saurabh Rajput's murder, with the judge's reasoning and tighter jail security drawing attention after the sentencing.
By Hushread Stories, written with AI from 9 outlets · First published 15 Oct 2026 · Chapter 2 of 2
Earlier: Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla Sentenced to Death in Meerut Murder
In brief
- A Meerut court sentenced Muskan Rastogi and her boyfriend Sahil Shukla to death on October 14, 2026.
- The pair were convicted of murdering Rastogi's husband, Saurabh Rajput, whose body was concealed in a blue drum.
- Coverage dates the killing to March 3, 2025, with the body discovered about two weeks later.
- The trial included testimony from 22 prosecution witnesses, and the judge invoked the Mahabharata during sentencing.
- Jail authorities increased security and surveillance after sentencing, with both convicts being held in separate cells.
Timeline · 5 moments
Report describes convicts' troubled first night after sentencing
Times of India ↗Jail authorities increase security and surveillance for both convicts
NDTV India ↗Judge invokes Mahabharata while explaining severity of punishment
The Hindu ↗Meerut court sentences Rastogi and Shukla to death
Indian Express ↗Saurabh Rajput killed by his wife and her boyfriend
Mint ↗How it started
Saurabh Rajput, a merchant navy officer, was killed on March 3, 2025, by his wife Muskan Rastogi and her boyfriend Sahil Shukla, according to Mint.
His body was discovered two weeks later, concealed with cement in a blue drum, the outlet reported. BBC News - India described the container as a large blue plastic storage drum, the object that gave the case its widely used name.
How it unfolded
The murder case went to trial in Meerut. According to Times of India India, the proceedings included testimony from 22 prosecution witnesses.
On October 14, 2026, the court sentenced Rastogi and Shukla to death for Rajput's murder, Indian Express reported.
The judge referred to the Mahabharata while explaining the punishment. According to The Hindu, the judge said justice required punishment proportionate to the gravity of the offence.
The severity of the sentence also prompted scrutiny of why the case was treated as "rarest of the rare". India News published an explanation from Supreme Court lawyer Azad Singh addressing that question.
Where it stands
Both convicts are being held in separate cells. Jail authorities increased security and surveillance after the sentencing, according to NDTV India, which reported that Shukla had been assigned prisoner number 395 and Rastogi number 396.
On October 15, Times of India reported that the pair had spent a troubled first night in jail after receiving their death sentences. The supplied coverage does not identify a date for any further court proceedings.
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