Meerut Murder Case: Forensic Insights into a Gruesome Betrayal

The Meerut Murder Case: A Forensic and Psychological Deep Dive into Premeditated Homicide

The brutal murder of Saurabh Rajput, a 29-year-old merchant navy officer, in March 2025 has shocked India with its calculated cruelty and disturbing post-crime behavior by the perpetrators. This case study examines the complex web of relationships, planning, execution, and aftermath of this homicide, which involved the victim’s wife, Muskaan Rastogi, and her lover, Sahil Shukla.

The case represents an alarming example of intimate partner homicide characterized by extensive premeditation, psychological manipulation, extreme violence, and remarkable post-crime callousness. The following analysis comprehensively examines this case based on police investigations, forensic evidence, and witness accounts.

Background and Relationship Dynamics

Saurabh Rajput and Muskaan Rastogi married in 2016 in what was described as a love marriage against their families’ wishes. The couple had a daughter, now six years old, and lived in a rented apartment in Meerut’s Indira Nagar area. Saurabh worked abroad, most recently in London, creating extended periods of separation in the marriage.

The seeds of the crime were planted in 2019 when Muskaan reconnected with her former schoolmate Sahil Shukla through a WhatsApp group. What began as a friendship quickly evolved into an extramarital affair that intensified during Saurabh’s absences. Police investigations revealed that drugs may have played a significant role in bringing Muskaan and Sahil closer, with Sahil reportedly sharing contraband substances with Muskaan.

As the relationship between Muskaan and Sahil deepened, they increasingly viewed Saurabh as an obstacle to their future together. According to police statements, this perception eventually led to the decision to eliminate him.

Psychological Manipulation

An alarming aspect of this case involves the alleged psychological manipulation employed by Muskaan to convince Sahil to participate in the murder. According to investigators, Muskaan exploited Sahil’s superstitious nature by creating fake Snapchat accounts using her brother’s phone. Through these accounts, she allegedly convinced Sahil that his deceased mother was communicating with him from beyond the grave and demanding a sacrifice.

This manipulation reportedly took place in an environment conducive to such influence – Sahil’s room was found decorated with tantric symbols, devil graffiti, and cryptic English phrases, creating what investigators described as an eerie atmosphere.

Premeditation and Failed Attempts

The level of premeditation in this case is extensive. Police investigations revealed that Muskaan had been plotting the murder since November 2024, approximately four months before the actual crime6. The preparation involved several calculated steps:

1. Procurement of weapons: Muskaan purchased two long-bladed knives, telling the shopkeeper they would be used for cutting chicken6.
2. Obtaining sedatives: She reportedly acted stressed to secure banned sedatives from a local pharmacy6.
3. Location scouting: The couple researched potential disposal sites for the body.

Their first attempt to murder Saurabh occurred on February 25, 2025, just one day after he returned from London to celebrate his wife’s and daughter’s birthday. Muskaan laced Saurabh’s food with sedatives, but the dose only made him drowsy rather than rendering him unconscious as intended9. This failure did not deter the conspirators, who adjusted their plan for a second attempt.

The Murder and Dismemberment

On March 4, 2025, Muskaan and Sahil successfully executed their plan. The sequence of events, as reconstructed by investigators, was methodical and brutal:

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1. Muskaan sent her six-year-old daughter to her grandmother’s house, removing any potential witnesses2.
2. When Saurabh returned home with a dish of ‘lauki ke kofte’ (bottled gourd dumplings) prepared by his mother, Muskaan reheated the food and mixed it in sedatives.
3. Once Saurabh was incapacitated, Muskaan called Sahil to their rented home in Indira Nagar1.
4. Together, they launched a knife attack on the helpless Saurabh, stabbing him multiple times until he died.
5. The autopsy later revealed Saurabh was stabbed in the heart with extreme force three times, causing shock and excessive bleeding that led to his death.

After the murder, the perpetrators engaged in elaborate efforts to conceal their crime:

1. Sahil dragged Saurabh’s body to the bathroom, where they dismembered it.
2. They severed his head with a razor and cut off his hands at the wrists.
3. The autopsy showed that his legs were bent backward, suggesting an attempt to make the body fit into their chosen container.
4. Their initial plan was to dispose of the body parts in isolated locations, but they changed course and decided to conceal the remains in their home.
5. They packed Saurabh’s torso into a bag and placed it inside the box of their double bed—where Muskaan slept that night directly above her husband’s remains.
6. Sahil took Saurabh’s severed head and hands to his own home, keeping them in his room for 24 hours.

Concealment of the Crime

The method of concealing the victim’s remains represents another layer of calculated planning:

1. The perpetrators placed Saurabh’s dismembered body parts into a large blue drum.
2. They poured a mixture of cement and dust into the drum, sealing it to create a concrete tomb.
3. This technique, which police believe may have been influenced by film portrayals, was effective in preventing decomposition odor.
4. To further avoid detection, Muskaan took possession of Saurabh’s phone and sent messages to his family members, creating the illusion that he was still alive.

Post-Murder Behavior

Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this case is the couple’s behavior following the murder. Rather than displaying signs of distress or remorse, they embarked on what amounted to a celebratory vacation:

1. The duo left for Himachal Pradesh on the evening of March 4, the same day as the murder7.
2. They traveled to various locations, including Manali, Kasol, and Shimla.
3. From March 10-16, they stayed at Hotel Purnima in Kasol, specifically in Room 203.
4. They celebrated Holi with “great enthusiasm” during their stay, according to witness accounts.
5. On March 11, Muskaan ordered a red velvet cake for Sahil’s birthday with “Happy Birthday Shankar” written on it, suggesting they used aliases.
6. A cab driver who transported them during this period reported that Sahil consumed two bottles of alcohol daily while Muskaan drank beer.

Hotel staff noted that the couple behaved oddly, rarely leaving their room and ordering food to be delivered rather than going out for meals as typical tourists would. Despite this unusual behavior, the cab driver who spent several days with them stated that nothing in their demeanor suggested they had just committed a murder7.

Discovery and Legal Proceedings

The crime came to light through a combination of family suspicion and police work:

1. Saurabh’s brother, Bablu, reported him missing on March 18, 2025, after growing increasingly concerned about inconsistencies in Muskaan’s statements regarding his whereabouts.
2. Police investigation, prompted by reports of a foul smell emanating from the couple’s residence, led to the discovery of Saurabh’s remains in the cement-filled drum.
3. Upon questioning, Muskaan and Sahil confessed to the crime, revealing the details of their plan and execution.

Following their confession:

1. The couple was arrested and presented in court on March 19, 2025.
2. They were remanded to 14-day judicial custody by the chief judicial magistrate.
3. Outside the court, they were physically assaulted by a group of lawyers, requiring police intervention to ensure their safety.
4. Muskaan’s first night in Chaudhary Charan Singh district jail was reportedly restless, with jail officials noting signs of extreme distress.

Family Reactions

The reactions from family members provide additional context to this tragedy:

1. Muskaan’s father, Pramod Rastogi, strongly condemned his daughter’s actions, personally taking her to the police station and encouraging her to confess.
2. He has demanded the death penalty for both Muskaan and Sahil, stating: “What she did is very wrong… my son-in-law should get justice”.
3. Muskaan’s mother, Kavita Rastogi, expressed uncertainty about whether her daughter “was brainwashed or did drugs” but acknowledged that Muskaan had “committed a big mistake”9.
4. She noted that Muskaan had lost significant weight (10 kg in 2 years) and had been concealing many aspects of her life from her parents.

Psychological Aspects

This case presents several psychological elements worthy of examination:

1. The apparent lack of empathy displayed by both perpetrators is evidenced by their vacation immediately following the murder.
2. The potential role of substance abuse in deteriorating Muskaan’s decision-making capacity, as suggested by family members and investigators.
3. The manipulation dynamics between Muskaan and Sahil, particularly the alleged exploitation of superstitious beliefs to motivate participation in the crime.
4. The extreme compartmentalization demonstrated by both killers allows them to celebrate and socialize normally while concealing their actions.

Conclusion

The murder of Saurabh Rajput represents an extreme case of premeditated homicide characterized by extraordinary planning, brutal execution, and disturbing post-crime behavior. The combination of relationship dysfunction, possible substance abuse, psychological manipulation, and moral detachment created the conditions for this horrific crime.

This case highlights several important considerations for criminal investigators, mental health professionals, and society at large:

1. There is potential for extreme violence within intimate relationships when external factors such as substance abuse and manipulation are present.
2. Recognizing relationship warning signs is essential, mainly when significant behavioral changes occur.
3. Effective intervention strategies are needed when individuals show signs of moral disengagement and increasing detachment from societal norms.

As the legal process unfolds, this case will likely continue to raise profound questions about the human capacity for violence, deception, and the complex psychological factors that can lead otherwise ordinary individuals to commit extraordinary acts of cruelty.