India
Meerut court convicts wife, lover for husband's murder
A Meerut court convicted Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla for murdering her husband Saurabh Rajput in 2025. The body was hidden in a blue drum. Details of motive unclear.

A Meerut court has convicted Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla for the murder of her husband, Saurabh Rajput, in the infamous blue drum case. The court ruled that both individuals conspired to kill Rajput and concealed his body in a blue plastic drum filled with concrete and sand. The verdict was delivered after 126 hearings and 22 witness statements, according to Advocate Krishan Kumar Dubey, who represented the prosecution.
The court found that Muskan allegedly drugged her husband and, with Sahil's assistance, stabbed him to death in March 2025. Following the murder, the accused dismembered Rajput's body, placed the remains in a blue drum, and sealed it with cement. Muskan and Sahil then fled to Himachal Pradesh and were arrested two weeks later. The court sentenced them for murder and attempting to conceal evidence related to the crime.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the unusual method of concealment and the high-profile nature of the crime. The use of a blue drum to hide a body is a rare and disturbing detail that has sparked public interest. However, the court's ruling does not provide specific details about the motive behind the murder, leaving that aspect of the case unresolved.
Advocate Dubey stated that the court's decision was based on the evidence presented during the trial, which included witness statements and forensic reports. The prosecution argued that the accused had a premeditated plan to eliminate Rajput and destroy evidence.
The case highlights the challenges of investigating and prosecuting crimes involving concealment of evidence. The use of a drum to hide a body is a method that requires both planning and access to materials, suggesting a level of premeditation. However, the exact sequence of events and the role of each accused in the planning and execution of the crime remain unclear.
The court's ruling marks the conclusion of a long and complex legal process. The case has been followed closely by media and legal experts due to its unusual circumstances. While the conviction is a significant development, the lack of detailed information about the motive and the full context of the relationship between the accused and the victim leaves some aspects of the case unresolved.
Further investigation may be required to determine the full extent of the accused's involvement and the circumstances leading to the murder. The court's decision provides a legal resolution but does not address the broader questions about the relationship dynamics and the reasons behind the crime. The case remains a subject of public interest and may prompt discussions about the need for better legal protections and support systems for individuals in such situations.