CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Meerut. A new turn has emerged in Uttar Pradesh’s much-discussed Saurabh Rajput murder case, also known as the “blue drum case”. Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, who were sentenced to death in the murder case, have challenged the lower court’s verdict in the Allahabad High Court. Notably, the same lawyer will represent both of them. Meanwhile, after reports that Sahil’s family members have been visiting Muskan in jail, speculation has also begun over whether the family has accepted her. However, no clear official confirmation has come from the family in this regard.
According to media reports, Sahil’s family has appointed senior advocate Sushil Shukla to argue for both of them in the High Court. According to Meerut District Jail Senior Superintendent Dr Viresh Raj Sharma, both filed an appeal in the High Court on 23 October. In the appeal, they have challenged the conviction and the death sentence.
According to the report, Muskan had earlier asked the jail administration to provide her a lawyer. In the lower court, government lawyer Rekha Jain had represented her. She has now reportedly decided to present her case in the High Court through the lawyer appointed on Sahil’s behalf. This development has intensified discussion around the legal defence of both accused.
Reports have claimed that members of Sahil’s family have been coming to the jail to meet him and Muskan. On this basis, speculation is being made that Muskan has been accepted by the family. However, it cannot be concluded merely from jail meetings and the appointment of the same lawyer that the family has accepted Muskan as a daughter-in-law. A clear statement from the family on this is still awaited.
The Meerut district court had convicted Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla in the case of Saurabh Rajput’s murder and destruction of evidence. On 14 October 2026, the court sentenced both of them to death. According to the prosecution, after Saurabh was murdered in March 2025, the body was hidden with cement in a blue drum. The arguments of both sides will now be heard during the appeal proceedings in the High Court. A final decision on confirmation of the death sentence and the conviction will come only after the High Court’s judicial process.
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