The tragic saga of Saurabh Singh and Muskan Rastogi, which began with a college romance and ended in a gruesome murder, has finally reached its legal conclusion. This case, famously known as the Blue Drum Scandal of Meerut, involved a 9 year long relationship that culminated in a horrific crime and a subsequent 16 month trial. The court has now delivered its final verdict, awarding the death penalty to the accused wife and her paramour, yet several questions regarding the depths of this betrayal remain in the public consciousness.
The Beginning of a College Romance
The story traces back to the years 2014-15 when Saurabh Singh and Muskan first met at a college in Meerut. It was a classic case of love at first sight where the two became inseparable shortly after their first meeting. They spent their college days finding excuses to meet and strengthen their bond, eventually deciding to build a life together. Their relationship was built on years of shared dreams and academic life, leading them to believe in a future of marital bliss.
Career Success and Marriage
As soon as their studies were completed, Saurabh secured a prestigious job in the Merchant Navy. With professional stability achieved, he took the next big step in his personal life. During his first leave from work, Saurabh and Muskan opted for a court marriage to formalize their love. For the first few years, their married life appeared to be perfect. Within three years of their marriage, the couple was blessed with a daughter, which seemed to complete their family unit.
The Entry of Sahil Shukla and the Extramarital Affair
The nature of Saurabh's job in the Merchant Navy required him to stay away from home for several months at a time. It was during these long periods of absence that the distance between the couple began to grow. During this time, Muskan reconnected with Sahil Shukla, who was also a friend from their college days. What started as a friendship soon turned into an illicit affair, while their meetings became frequent, and their relationship deepened to the point where they began spending nights together in Saurabh's absence.
The Conspiracy on the Eve of Celebrations
The month of March held great significance for the family as it marked both Saurabh and Muskan's marriage anniversary and their daughter's birthday. To celebrate these milestones, Saurabh left his job and returned to Meerut on 24 February. On 2 March, the family even went to a mall for a shopping spree, appearing like a happy family to the outside world. However, Saurabh's presence meant that Muskan and Sahil could no longer meet freely. Fearing that their affair would be permanently interrupted, the duo hatched a cold blooded conspiracy to eliminate Saurabh.
The Night of the Murder: 3 March 2025
On the night of 3 March 2025, the plan was set into motion. Muskan mixed poison into Saurabh's food, rendering him unconscious. Once he was incapacitated, the duo brutally murdered him. In a shocking display of depravity, it was revealed that the two accused engaged in physical relations near the lifeless body of Saurabh before falling asleep. The sheer coldness of the act sent shockwaves through the investigating team and the local community.
Disposal of the Body and the Blue Drum
On the morning of 4 March, the reality of disposing of the evidence set in. To hide the crime, the accused dismembered Saurabh's body into pieces. They then placed the remains into a large blue drum and filled it with cement to seal it completely, hoping the smell and the evidence would never surface. After completing this gruesome task, Muskan and Sahil fled to Himachal Pradesh for a vacation to divert suspicion. They returned on 17 March, but by then, the disappearance had raised alarms.
The Investigation and Legal Timeline
The police investigation moved swiftly after the discovery of the crime. On 19 March, both Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla were arrested and sent to jail. On 22 March 2025, further investigations suggested that the conspiracy might have also involved elements of superstition. The police filed a comprehensive charge sheet on 12 May 2025, detailing the evidence against the duo. The trial in the court lasted for several months, concluding on 17 September 2026. On 30 September 2026, the court found Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla guilty of the murder of Saurabh Rajput. Finally, on 14 October 2026, the court awarded the death penalty to both for their heinous crimes.