This case is a disturbing blend of betrayal, addiction, and a tragic end to what began as a love story. Muskan Rastogi’s alleged confession — and her father's anguished call for his own daughter to face the death penalty — reflects not only his devastation but also the moral conflict within the family. His statement that Saurabh was "like his son" and that he had left behind property worth crores for Muskan underscores the depth of his grief, mixed with disbelief at what his daughter has done.
The chilling nature of the crime — from drugging Saurabh to stabbing him, dismembering his body, and then sealing him in a cement-filled drum — reveals an almost unfathomable level of premeditation and brutality. Muskan’s alleged partner in crime, Sahil Shukla, wasn’t just a recent affair; he was an old connection, a schoolmate who resurfaced through social media in 2019, leading her down a dark path that ended in murder. It’s tragic to think that a relationship that began in childhood ended in such horrific violence.
Muskan’s father’s revelation that Sahil got her addicted to drugs adds another painful layer. Her alleged admission that she "couldn’t live without drugs" paints a heartbreaking picture of how addiction can warp judgment, dismantle relationships, and lead to irreversible consequences. It raises complex, unsettling questions about agency and manipulation — did Muskan act entirely on her own, or was she coerced by a toxic influence? Was her addiction weaponized against her, or did she willingly embrace that path?
The logistics of the murder itself are horrifying in their detail. Lacing Saurabh’s food with sedatives, waiting until he was unconscious, calling Sahil over, and then carrying out the stabbing — all point to a deliberate, planned act rather than a crime of passion. The following day’s actions — purchasing a drum, cement, and sand to encase the body — further emphasize the methodical nature of the crime. It’s almost unfathomable to imagine someone going to such lengths, especially someone who once claimed to love the victim.
What’s even more unsettling is how long they managed to keep the crime hidden. The fact that the truth only emerged after Muskan broke down and confessed to her parents suggests that guilt and emotional turmoil eventually caught up with her. Her father’s decision to take her to the police, despite his own heartbreak, shows his unwavering sense of justice — even when it meant turning in his own daughter.
The police’s struggle to even open the cement-filled drum is another haunting detail. That the cement hardened to such an extent that they needed two hours and additional equipment at the mortuary to extract the body illustrates how far Muskan and Sahil allegedly went to cover up their actions. It’s a grim reminder of how desperation can lead people to take extreme, almost surreal measures.
Saurabh’s life, too, wasn’t without its own complexities. The revelation that he wasn’t actually working in the merchant navy — as he had told his family — but instead at a bakery in London adds an unexpected twist. It’s unclear why he hid the truth, but it suggests that perhaps both sides of this marriage were holding onto secrets.
This case isn’t just a story of murder — it’s a tragic exploration of love gone wrong, the destructive power of addiction, the manipulation of vulnerable people, and the devastating ripple effects on families. It’s a reminder of how a series of bad choices, compounded by emotional weakness and external influence, can lead to irreversible tragedy.
