On March 18, Meerut, was left stunned by a terror crime straight from a thriller novel. A young woman, Muskaan Rastogi, and her lover boy, Sahil Shukla, were taken into custody for the killing of Muskaan’s husband, Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy officer, in the most brutal manner. The brutality of the crime vividly sketched a masterminded game plan spread over several months culminating into Saurabh’s killing in a horrific fashion.
Saurabh, who had been working in London since 2023, came to India on February 24 to attend the birthday celebration of his six-year-old daughter. He had no idea that his visit would be a death trap laid by his wife and her boyfriend.
A Murder Months in the Making
Muskaan and Saurabh got married in 2016, but things went wrong when Muskaan had an affair with Sahil, who was Saurabh’s friend as well. Saurabh came to know about the affair in 2021 when their landlord discovered Muskaan and Sahil in an “objectionable position.” He had even requested a divorce, but on being pressured by his family, he decided to remain with his wife.
Muskaan started conspiring to kill him, buying knives months in advance. She informed one shopkeeper that they were going to chop chicken and so they were worthy of the purchase. She even pretended to suffer from anxiety attacks so that she could get sedatives and then kill her husband by poisoning him.
Manipulating Sahil: A Dead Mother’s ‘Voice’
The most unusual aspect of the case was the way in which Sahil had been deceived by Muskaan. She had created a copy Snapchat account and pretended to be Sahil’s deceased mother and informed him that she was calling him from heaven. Through these messages, Muskaan tricked Sahil into thinking that he needed to murder Saurabh. The couple had tried for the first time on February 25 to kill Saurabh but failed. But on March 3, they succeeded.
A Brutal Execution and a Gruesome Disposal
On 3rd March, Muskaan and Sahil poisoned Saurabh using the pills purchased earlier by Muskaan. When he became unconscious, they injured him a few times, then dissected his body into 15 pieces. The body pieces were placed in a drum, filled with cement, and sealed properly. Their final plan was to dump it somewhere unknown where no one could trace it. But they had left for their holiday before they could complete the last step.
The Holi celebration
Muskaan and Sahil were discovered enjoying Holi celebrations in Manali just 11 days since the killing. The two friends were merry and unrestrained in a video seen on the internet. Merry tunes from songs floated about as the two friends clubbed with a band of revelers.
If their Holi video wasn’t enough to stir, there was another emerged where they went from Shimla to Manali where Muskaan was stuffing cake into Sahil’s mouth prior to saying “Happy Birthday” and kissing him.
Police Cracks the Murder Case
The killing was not found out until the couple came back from their post-crime vacation. Muskaan told her mother that she and Sahil had murdered Saurabh because he would disturb their drug sessions. This admission ultimately resulted in the police investigation.
As the police searched the couple’s residence, they discovered the drum filled with cement, now stinking. Saurabh’s mortified body lay within, for the worst had been confirmed.
As the police questioned them, Muskaan and Sahil confessed to the act, narrating their intended deed, the horrific execution, and their successful bid to eliminate Saurabh from their lives.
Motive of the Crime
Investigations also brought out that Sahil and Muskaan’s relationship was drug-based. Both of them being drunk every time, plus Muskaan being manipulative, created an impression that Saurabh had to be killed so that they could be together without any interference.
Even though they tried to hide their offense, not showing remorse during their holiday was the reason for their eventual downfall. The audacity of relaxing on Holi and uploading videos to the internet while Saurabh’s body rotted in cement showed their insensitive and remorseless nature.
Legal Proceedings and Public Outrage
When arrested, Sahil and Muskaan were detained in custody for the offense of murder, and the case has been disapproved of by society. The cruelty of the act, the partying, and the complete absence of remorse have shaken society.
Lawyers opine that since it was a premeditated crime, the accused can be given a death penalty or life imprisonment. The police also told us they are inquiring whether another individual took part in this conspiracy.
Though justice will ultimately triumph, the case stands as a grim reminder of what unchecked lust, manipulation, and obsession can drive a person to do.
A passionate writer, Niharika wants to create an impact as she believes that Journalism is not just a profession, but a passion to follow and live in. With a keen eye for storytelling and a commitment to impactful writing. she strives to inform, engage, and inspire through the pieces that she crafts. Niharika has covered the 38th National Games, getting to know the lives of athletes and players closely. When not writing she is listening to music, or browsing through social media for more meaningful topics to cover.
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