Full Breakdown
Appeal Against Death Sentences in Meerut’s “Blue Drum” Murder Case
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Core Facts
Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla were convicted by the Meerut District and Sessions Court on September 30, 2026 for the murder of Muskan’s husband, former merchant-navy officer Saurabh Rajput, and for attempting to destroy evidence. Both were sentenced to death and fined INR50,000 each on October 14, 2026. They have filed a joint criminal appeal in the Allahabad High Court to overturn the conviction and death penalty.
Background & Context
The homicide occurred on March 3, 2025 in Meerut’s Brahmpuri area. After killing Rajput, the accused placed his body in a large blue plastic drum and filled it with cement to conceal the remains. The discovery prompted a swift police investigation and the arrests of Rastogi and Shukla.
The trial, presided over by District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra, involved 126 hearings over 13 months and was based on a ?1,000-page chargesheet. The prosecution argued pre-meditation; the defence maintains the case rests solely on circumstantial evidence.
Key Figures
- Muskan Rastogi – Convicted appellant.
- Sahil Shukla – Convicted appellant.
- Saurabh Rajput – Victim.
- Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma – Confirmed senior advocate Sushil Shukla filed the appeal.
- Senior Advocate Sushil Shukla – Lead counsel, assisted by Nidhi Trivedi, Ravitendra Pratap Singh Chandel and Sandeep Kumar Dubey.
Timeline
- March 3, 2025 – Rajput murdered; body concealed in a blue drum.
- September 30, 2026 – Conviction for murder and evidence destruction.
- October 14, 2026 – Death sentences and fines imposed.
- September 17 – Final arguments presented in trial.
- October 24, 2026 – Appeal filed; High Court hearing scheduled for the following week.
Legal Grounds and Arguments
The appeal claims the verdict is “illegal and arbitrary,” citing:
1. Reliance on Circumstantial Evidence – Alleged failure to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
2. Missing Documentary Proof – No CCTV footage or purchase receipts for the weapon, cement, or drum.
3. Procedural Deficiencies – Lack of independent-witness signatures on recovery memos, violations of videography protocols, and absence of statutory certificates for electronic evidence.
The appellants seek quashing of the conviction order dated September 30 and the death sentence dated October 14, and acquittal under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Official Responses
Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma confirmed the filing of the joint appeal by senior advocate Sushil Shukla. The Allahabad High Court has set a division-bench hearing for next week; no further official commentary on the merits has been released.
Data & Statistics
- Two individuals convicted.
- Fine: INR50,000 per convict.
- Trial duration: 13 months, 126 hearings.
- Chargesheet: ?1,000 pages.
- Evidence gaps cited: No CCTV, no purchase receipts, missing witness signatures, absent electronic-evidence certificates.
What’s Next
The appellants remain incarcerated at Meerut’s Chaudhary Charan Singh Jail while awaiting the High Court hearing. The division bench will consider whether to uphold, modify, or set aside the conviction and death sentences.