A Meerut court is set to deliver its verdict on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, in the Saurabh Rajput murder case — a sensational trial in which the victim's wife and her alleged lover stand accused of killing him, dismembering his body, and concealing it in a large blue drum. Ahead of the judgment, the victim's family has reiterated its demand for the death penalty for both the accused.

Family's Demand for Justice

Rahul Rajput, the victim's elder brother, said the family has pursued the case relentlessly for over 17 to 18 months. 'We just want one thing: whatever they did to my brother, the same thing should happen to them,' he said. 'The least they get should be a death sentence.'

Rahul noted that he was summoned to court on 11 occasions, while the victim's mother, Renu Rajput, appeared nine times. He added that his business had come to a standstill due to the prolonged proceedings, with family members regularly leaving for court at 11 am and returning only by 5 pm. 'If the accused is awarded anything less than the death sentence, we will approach the High Court or the Supreme Court,' Rahul said.

The Accused and the Trial

The accused are Muskan Rastogi, Saurabh's wife, and Sahil Shukla, whom the prosecution has described as her alleged lover. Both are lodged at Meerut jail since 19 March 2025, when the case was first brought before the court on 17 March 2025. The trial was transferred to the district judge's court in July 2025, and arguments continued for approximately 13 months.

The case has seen 126 hearings, with 22 witnesses giving testimony before District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra. The prosecution has sought the death penalty for both accused, while the defence has argued that there was no eyewitness to the murder and has sought leniency.

What the Prosecution Alleges

According to the prosecution, the murder was premeditated. It alleges that the accused purchased a knife, razor, cement, sand, and a large blue drum in advance. Police and forensic witnesses told the court that Saurabh's body was recovered from the drum, and post-mortem evidence recorded injuries allegedly inflicted with sharp-edged weapons.

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

What Happens Next

With the verdict expected on 30 September 2026, the Rajput family has made clear it will escalate to the High Court or the Supreme Court if the sentence falls short of the death penalty. The case has drawn sustained public attention for the gruesome nature of the alleged crime and the family drama at its centre.