Post-Murder Getaway: Hotel Operator Describes Muskaan and Sahil's Behavior
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Synopsis
Muskaan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla took a six-day vacation in Kasol after murdering her husband, Saurabh Rajput. Hotel staff reported unusual behavior, as the couple stayed in their room and celebrated a birthday while attempting to cover their crime.
Key Takeaways
- Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla went on vacation after committing murder.
- The couple behaved strangely and seldom left their hotel room.
- They celebrated Sahil's birthday in secrecy.
- Saurabh Rajput was dismembered post-murder and found in a cement-filled drum.
- Investigation revealed marital strife as a motive for the crime.
Kasol, March 22 (NationPress) Following the brutal murder of her husband, Muskaan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla embarked on a six-day holiday in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, where they celebrated Sahil's birthday. The personnel at the hotel they booked reported that the pair exhibited peculiar behavior and remained confined to their room.
This escapade took place mere days after the horrific killing of Muskaan's husband, former Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput. The suspects, in an attempt to fabricate an alibi, occupied Hotel Purnima from March 10 to March 16.
The shocking nature of the crime, coupled with the couple's seemingly carefree retreat in the mountains, has left the nation in disbelief.
Saurabh, who had just returned from London to celebrate his daughter's birthday, was drugged, murdered, and dismembered into 15 pieces by Muskaan and Sahil. His dismembered body was discovered sealed within a plastic drum filled with cement over a week after his disappearance.
In an interview with IANS, Aman, the operator of Hotel Purnima, disclosed that the duo checked into Room 203 alongside their driver and acted unusually during their stay.
"They seldom left the room, evaded interactions with the staff, and did not request any room cleaning services. They even celebrated Sahil's birthday on March 11 inside their room," Aman recounted.
"Throughout their six-day stay, they never engaged with the hotel staff nor requested room cleaning even once. Their meals were consistently delivered to their room," he added.
Aman noted that initially, Sahil presented only his own identification, insisting Muskaan was his spouse. When pressed by the hotel staff, he eventually produced Muskaan's ID. The couple claimed they had previously stayed in Manali before arriving in Kasol and intended to return to Uttar Pradesh.
Upon checking out on March 16, Muskaan and Sahil attempted to mislead Saurabh's family by stating he had traveled abroad. However, as their funds dwindled and their deception began to unravel, Saurabh's family grew suspicious and lodged a police report.
During questioning, both Muskaan and Sahil admitted to the murder.
Investigations revealed that Saurabh and Muskaan had entered into a love marriage in 2016 and welcomed a daughter in 2019. Saurabh's choice to leave his Merchant Navy career and subsequently relocate to London to work in a bakery led to financial strain and marital discord.
Muskaan's family often provided her with financial assistance, while Saurabh's struggle with alcohol dependency further exacerbated their relationship issues.
After his return to India on February 24, tensions between the couple escalated. Muskaan and Sahil initially attempted to murder Saurabh on February 25 but failed. Days later, they executed their sinister plot successfully.
Authorities discovered Saurabh's dismembered remains inside a drum, necessitating the use of a drill to penetrate the hardened cement.
