- Muskaan Rastogi and her boyfriend Sahil Shukla have been given the death sentence.
- The duo conspired and killed merchant navy Saurabh Rajput on March 3, 2025
- Here's a complete timeline of events that led to the brutal murder.
Meerut Blue Drum Case: The infamous duo accused in merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput's murder, Muskaan Rastogi and her boyfriend Sahil Shukla, have been given the death sentence by a local Meerut court on Wednesday. Both of them were convicted two weeks ago in the blue drum murder case. Having said that, let's have a look at the timeline from how Muskaan and Saurabh started dating to how she conspired to commit the murder along with Sahil.
Muskaan Rastogi and Saurabh Rajput Love Story
The duo first met in 2015 and their connection eventually turned into love. Muskaan married Saurabh in 2016 with the consent of their families. Muskaan was blessed with a daughter, Pihu, in 2019. She now lives with her maternal grandfather, Pramod Rastogi.
When Muskaan Met Sahil
Things changed after she met her classmate Sahil in 2019 and they fell in love with each other. Saurabh learnt about her affair with Sahil in 2021 and filed a divorce case. Then Saurabh went to London for work.
The Murder Plot
In November 2024, Muskaan and Sahil planned Saurabh's murder. When Saurabh returned to India in 2025, they tried to kill him during Muskaan's birthday on February 25, 2025. But they failed. Finally, on the night of March 3, 2025, Sahil brutally stabbed him to death.
On 4th March, they dumped Saurabh's body in a blue drum, cemented it and went to Himachal that evening. They returned on March 17 and tried to dispose the dead body. The next day she informed her mother Kavita Rastogi, about the murder. Following this, both Muskaan and Sahil were arrested on March 19.
ALSO READ: Meerut Blue Drum Case: Muskan Rastogi, Lover Sahil Shukla Convicted For Murdering Saurabh Rajput
17 Months of Trial in Court
May 12, 2025 - The police filed a nearly 1,000-page charge sheet. It mentioned 34 witnesses, 22 of whom testified.
June 17, 2025 - Muskan and Sahil were charged with murder and destruction of evidence. The trial began.
July 4, 2025 - Saurabh's brother, Bablu, testified in court.
July 10 to November 2025 - Statements were recorded from several witnesses, including the family, police, doctors, and the knife and drum seller.
December 19, 2025 - The blue drum and trolley bag were presented as evidence in court.
April 21, 2026 - The court asked Muskan and Sahil 32 questions each regarding the allegations. Both denied the allegations.
May 22, 2026 - Final arguments in the case began. The prosecution cited the statements of 22 witnesses.
August 21, 2026 - Muskaan and Sahil's lawyers began their final arguments in court.
September 17, 2026 - The prosecution and defense concluded their final arguments.
September 30, 2026 - The court pronounced Muskan and Sahil guilty.
October 14, 2026 - The court sentenced Muskaan and Sahil to death.