Intense fear and anxiety have gripped convicts Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla after a court found them guilty in the gruesome murder of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput, widely remembered as the infamous blue drum case of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. Both individuals appear deeply shaken by the prospect of facing the death penalty. With the court scheduled to announce their sentences on October 14, prison authorities have initiated psychological counseling sessions to monitor and stabilize their fragile mental state.
Sleepless Nights, Refusal of Meals, and Tears Behind Bars
Senior Superintendent of Jail Dr. Viresh Raj Sharma stated on Thursday that Muskan and Sahil initially turned down their evening meals following the announcement of the verdict. Prison staff had to persistently counsel them before they consented to eating a negligible amount of food. Ongoing counseling sessions were conducted on Thursday as well, and prison authorities confirmed that these psychiatric interventions will remain active given the severe emotional distress of the convicts.
Sahil was observed breaking down in tears for the very first time inside the prison premises, while Muskan displayed visible turmoil and apprehension. According to Dr. Sharma, Muskan keeps her six-year-old daughter with her in prison and has expressed profound distress regarding the child's upbringing and future prospects as the final judgment approaches.
Family Demands Capital Punishment as Court Weighs Arguments
The court handed down the guilty verdict against Muskan and Sahil on Wednesday after concluding that the evidence on record clearly proved their collective involvement in Saurabh Rajput's killing. The judicial bench granted both convicts a period of 15 days to present their arguments regarding the quantum of punishment. Following the pronouncement, Saurabh's mother Renu Devi and brother Rahul were overcome with emotion, expressing steadfast faith in the judicial system while demanding the death penalty for both perpetrators.
A Gruesome Plot and Deserted Properties in Brahmpuri
The crime occurred on March 4, 2025, through a calculated and brutal plan. Muskan spiked Saurabh's meal with sleeping pills, and once he lost consciousness, Sahil stabbed him three times in the chest. Working together, the two dismembered Saurabh's body into 15 parts, stuffed the remains inside a plastic drum, and poured cement over them to conceal the deed.
Investigating officials subsequently arrested both individuals. Nearly 19 months after the horrific occurrence, the house in Brahmpuri where the homicide took place remains locked and abandoned. Property owner Ompal Singh revealed that the premises have found neither tenants nor buyers since that day, with neighborhood residents still referring to the structure as the murder house.
Stigma Stalls Property Deals Ahead of Final Sentencing Date
A similar stigma hovers over the residence of Muskan's father Pramod Rastogi, situated roughly 200 meters away from the primary scene of the crime. The family has attempted to sell the house, yet prospective purchasers have steered completely clear of the deal. With the legal timeline winding down, public and legal attention remains intensely focused on October 14, when the court will deliver its final sentencing order for both convicts.
