MEERUT MERCHANT NAVY OFFICER MURDER
Context
On March 4, 2025, Saurabh Rajput, a 29-year-old former Merchant Navy officer, was found brutally murdered in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. His dismembered body was discovered sealed inside a cement-filled drum, leading to widespread shock and media attention. The crime was reportedly orchestrated by his wife, Muskaan Rastogi, and her lover, Sahil Shukla. The incident has been dubbed the "Meerut Merchant Navy Officer Murder" case.
Police Investigation
The investigation revealed that Saurabh Rajput and Muskaan Rastogi were married in 2016. Seeking to spend more time with his wife, Rajput resigned from his position in the Merchant Navy, a decision that created discord within his family. As tensions grew, the couple moved into a rented home. Saurabh’s family later alleged that Muskaan had married him for financial gain and that he placed unwavering trust in her.
In 2019, the couple had a daughter, but their marital harmony was short-lived. Saurabh discovered that Muskaan was engaged in an extramarital affair with his friend, Sahil Shukla. The revelation led to significant strain in their relationship, and divorce was considered. However, Saurabh ultimately chose to remain in the marriage for the sake of his daughter.
On February 25, Muskaan and Sahil made their first attempt to kill him but failed.
The investigation revealed that Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla were childhood acquaintances, having studied together from first to eighth grade. They reconnected in 2019 through a WhatsApp group created by a mutual classmate, three years after Muskaan's marriage to Saurabh Rajput. Their relationship was rekindled, and they met in person for the first time since school at a gathering organized by the group at a Meerut mall, where their affair began.
According to police findings, Muskaan and Sahil conspired to murder Rajput, viewing him as an obstacle to their relationship. Upon searching the premises, they discovered the cement-filled drum containing Saurabh's dismembered remains. Inconsistencies in Muskaan's statements led the police to suspect her involvement. Following interrogation, both Muskaan and Sahil confessed to the crime, leading to their arrest.
Potential Forensic Evidence
• CCTV Footage: Surveillance cameras captured the suspects entering and leaving the hospital, providing crucial visual evidence of their involvement.
• Social Media Activity: The Instagram post by the prime suspect served as a digital confession and helped authorities trace and apprehend him.
• Ballistics: The weapon used in the crime was a country-made pistol. Forensic analysis would have been conducted to match the bullet recovered from the crime scene with the weapon.
• Financial Records: Bank statements and ATM transaction records corroborated the suspect's claim of receiving money from the nurse's husband.
Motive behind the Crime
The primary motive was personal vendetta. The nurse's husband believed that Dr. Akhtar was involved in an extramarital affair with his wife. To eliminate the perceived threat to his marriage, he allegedly orchestrated the murder by manipulating a teenager, promising him marriage to his daughter and financial incentives. The teenager's infatuation with the nurse's daughter made him susceptible to this manipulation, leading to the execution of the crime.
Trial & Verdict
As of now, the case is under judicial proceedings. The arrested teenager is in custody, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend and prosecute all individuals involved, including the nurse's husband. Given the involvement of a minor, the case is being handled with considerations under the Juvenile Justice Act, and the court's verdict is awaited.
Content Writer:- Srishti Dutta
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