'Papa is in the drum': Meerut merchant navy officer’s daughter may have known about the murder, says Saurabh's mother

Saurabh Rajput has sent shockwaves through Meerut. His wife, Muskan Rastogi, and her alleged lover, Sahil Shukla, have been accused of murdering him, dismembering his body, and hiding it in a drum filled with cement. Saurabh’s mother, Renu Devi, is demanding the death penalty for both.

Saurabh had been missing since March 4. The crime came to light when laborers, hired to move a heavy drum from the couple’s rented house, found it unusually heavy. When questioned, Muskan reportedly dismissed their concerns, calling it «house junk.» As they attempted to shift it, the lid accidentally opened, releasing a foul smell. Suspicious, the laborers alerted the police.

Family Alleges Even Young Daughter Might Have Known

Renu Devi suspects that Saurabh’s young daughter may have been aware of the crime. “Neighbors told us that she (their daughter) was saying, ‘Papa has been kept in the drum.’ She might have seen something, or else why would a child say such a thing?” she said.

Police Investigation Reveals Brutal Murder

Investigators stated that Muskan and Sahil allegedly stabbed Saurabh, chopped his body into pieces, and stored it in the drum to hide the crime. The couple had been asked by their landlord to vacate the house, which prompted them to try disposing of the body.

Following the discovery, Muskan fled to her mother’s house. However, Renu Devi alleges that Muskan’s family already knew about the crime. “She (Muskan) reached her mother’s house, and her mother met a lawyer before they went to court. They were trying to cover things up, but the police caught them,” she said.

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Arrest and Court Proceedings

Muskan and Sahil were arrested on Tuesday and presented before the court on Wednesday. The court has remanded