- Gorakhpur pandal displays effigies of blue drum murder convicts.
- Muskan Rastogi, Sahil Shukla sentenced to death for murder.
- Display aims to deter crime and strengthen faith in justice.
A Durga Puja pandal in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has put up an unusual display featuring life-sized effigies of Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, the convicts in the Meerut blue drum murder case, hanging from nooses alongside figures of demons, India Today reported.
The display has been set up by the Yuva Golden Chhatra Samiti in the Singhadiya area of Gorakhpur. The effigies have been suspended above a road, drawing the attention of passers-by.
The organisers said the installation is intended to discourage serious crimes by highlighting the consequences faced by those convicted of them.
Nitesh, the committee's chairman, said the swift verdict had helped strengthen public faith in the legal system. The committee decided to incorporate the case into its decorations after learning of the court's decision on October 15, India Today reported.
The display forms part of a larger haunted-cave attraction at the pandal. Other features include spring-operated figures, automated elements and an electrically powered idol of Goddess Durga.
What Happened In The Meerut Blue Drum Murder Case?
The case dates back to March 2025, when 35-year-old merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput was murdered in Meerut. His wife, Muskan Rastogi, and her lover, Sahil Shukla, were convicted in connection with the crime.
Investigators found that Rajput's body had been dismembered and placed inside a blue drum sealed with cement, a detail that brought widespread attention to the case.
A Meerut court subsequently sentenced both convicts to death. The trial involved 126 hearings over approximately 13 months.
While delivering the sentence, the judge also referred to the Mahabharata and the duty to punish offenders. District Government Counsel KK Chaubey told PTI that the judge had observed that punishing those responsible for grave crimes was also a matter of dharma.
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The Gorakhpur committee's installation reflects its support for the verdict, with the organisers hoping the public display will serve as a warning against serious criminal acts.