In a shocking case of alleged murder in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, a husband was brutally killed by his wife, Muskan Rastogi, and her lover, Sahil Shukla. Saurabh Rajput, who recently returned from London, has been reported missing since March 4, 2025. The crime came to light when laborers moving an unusually heavy drum from the couple’s rented house discovered its disturbing contents.
The drum was found to contain the dismembered body of Saurabh Rajput, leading to alarming revelations. Muskan supposedly dismissed the laborers’ concerns, labeling the drum as “house junk.” However, when the laborers attempted to shift it and the lid popped open, they were met with a foul odor, prompting them to notify the police.
Saurabh’s family has raised questions about whether his young daughter was aware of the gruesome act. Renu Devi, Saurabh's mother, claimed, “Neighbors told us that she (their daughter) was saying, ‘Papa has been kept in the drum.’ She might have seen something, or else why would a child say such a thing?”
The investigative police uncovered a horrifying sequence of events wherein Muskan and Sahil allegedly stabbed Saurabh, dismembered his body into pieces, and stuffed them into the drum. The couple reportedly committed the murder just days after Saurabh returned home to celebrate their daughter’s birthday.
Muskan fled to her mother’s home after the murder. However, Renu Devi believes Muskan’s family was already aware of the crime from the start. “She (Muskan) reached her mother’s house, and her mother met a lawyer before they went to court. They were trying to cover things up, but the police caught them,” Renu added.
The unsettling details did not end there. Muskan and Sahil had allegedly concocted an elaborate scheme to cover up their crime, even going as far as to spend time in Himachal Pradesh immediately after the murder, creating the illusion of a normal family life. They were caught off guard when a large group of lawyers confronted them outside the court, as they were presented for a remand hearing on March 19, 2025.
Saurabh’s family has publicly condemned Muskan's actions, expressing as much anger as sorrow. His father stated, “Saurabh left his job and family for Muskan, but she took his life,” while his mother lamented that her son had been distanced from his family after marrying Muskan. Renu also noted, “I tolerated everything for the happiness of my son and daughter-in-law. Now, she has killed my son.”
Muskan's parents have expressed their shock at her actions, with her mother stating she wished “it would have been better if she was never born.” Meanwhile, her father, Pramod Rastogi, has called for a death sentence, asserting, “Muskan has lost the right to live. Such a person does not deserve to be alive.”
Police reports suggest that Muskan had been plotting the murder for months, having apparently manipulated Sahil into believing that his deceased mother communicated with him through Snapchat. This psychological manipulation played a significant role in convincing him to assist in the crime. As the investigation proceeds, it has been confirmed that Muskan bought sedatives to drug Saurabh, who was believed to have been unconscious at the time of his murder.
Initial attempts to execute the murder were unsuccessful, with Muskan's first attempt failing two days before the fatal incident. By March 4, however, Saurabh was drugged and then stabbed. After murder, his dismembered body was concealed in the very drum that led to their eventual capture.
The subsequent police investigation also revealed that Muskan had carefully plotted every detail of the crime from purchasing knives weeks before to scouting locations for disposal. Sahil's grandmother referred to him as a drug user, while Muskan’s parents are now grappling with the severe consequences of their daughter's actions. They, too, demanded justice for Saurabh and have acknowledged their daughter's failings, recoiling from their daughter's descent into crime.
Saurabh and Muskan began their relationship in 2016 under familial opposition, but their marriage had faltered over time. Regular confrontations regarding Saurabh’s contractual obligations abroad and the animosities that arose after their daughter’s birth had distanced the couple.
The horrendous crime has sent shockwaves through the community, drawing attention to the darker aspects of domestic relationships, manipulative behavior, and the consequences of undisguised love turning bitter. As both accused await court proceedings, voices demanding justice grow louder, echoing the sentiments of several families who have suffered similarly.
