The Meerut district court is set to pronounce its verdict today, September 30, in the high-profile Saurabh Rajput murder case, in which his wife Muskan Rastogi and co-accused Sahil Shukla are facing trial. The case gained national attention after Saurabh’s body was allegedly concealed inside a blue plastic drum.
13-Month Trial Comes to an End
The trial has continued for around 13 months, with the court holding 126 hearings and recording testimony from more than 22 witnesses. District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra is scheduled to deliver the verdict.
What Does the Prosecution Allege?
According to the prosecution, the murder was allegedly planned in advance. Investigators told the court that items including a knife, razor, cement, sand and a large blue drum were allegedly purchased before the killing.
Police and forensic witnesses also testified about the recovery of the body from the drum and the injuries recorded during the post-mortem examination.
Defence Challenges Prosecution Case
The defence has argued that there was no eyewitness to the murder and has sought relief for the accused. The defence has also questioned the prosecution's case and alleged that the accused were implicated in connection with a property dispute.
Prosecution Seeks Maximum Punishment
The prosecution has sought the death penalty for Muskan and Sahil. Saurabh’s family has also publicly demanded the maximum punishment. The court will now decide the case based on the evidence and arguments presented during the trial.
Verdict Expected Today
With arguments and witness testimonies completed, the court is now set to pronounce its decision. The verdict will determine the legal outcome for the two accused in one of Meerut’s most closely followed murder cases.