Blue Drum Murder Case Verdict Today, Victim’s Brother Seeks Death Penalty for Accused

Saurabh's elder brother Rahul said the family has been waiting for justice since the case began and wants the accused to receive the death penalty.

“We just want one thing: whatever they did to my brother, the same thing should happen to them,” Rahul said.

He added, “Since the beginning of this case, we have been hoping to get justice. We have just demanded one thing -- whatever they did to my brother, the same should happen to them. The least they get should be a death sentence.”

Rahul said the case had significantly affected his family's life and business over the past 17-18 months. He said he had appeared in court on 11 occasions, while his mother had attended nine hearings.

According to Rahul, 22 witnesses have testified during the proceedings. He said the family would challenge the verdict in the High Court or Supreme Court if the accused receive a punishment other than death.

The case has involved 126 hearings and testimonies, with both the prosecution and defence presenting their arguments before District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra.

Saurabh's wife, Muskan Rastogi, and Sahil Shukla, whom the prosecution has described as her alleged lover and co-accused, are facing trial in the case. The prosecution has sought the death penalty for both, while the defence has argued that there was no eyewitness to the murder and sought leniency.

The case was brought before the court on March 17, 2025, and Muskan and Sahil were sent to Meerut jail two days later. The trial was subsequently transferred to the district judge's court in July 2025, with arguments continuing for around 13 months.

According to the prosecution, the murder was planned in advance and the accused allegedly purchased a knife, razor, cement, sand and a large blue drum before the crime.

Police and forensic witnesses told the court that Saurabh's body was recovered from the drum. Post-mortem findings recorded injuries that the prosecution attributed to sharp-edged weapons.

Saurabh's mother, Renu Rajput, has also accused Muskan and Sahil of killing her son. She told the court that Saurabh had married Muskan despite opposition from his family and alleged that Muskan continued meeting Sahil after the marriage.

The court is expected to deliver its verdict in the case on Wednesday.