So, after the death sentence in the Saurabh murder case, the identity of Meerut’s Sahil and Muskan has changed. Now, they will both be prisoner numbers 395 and 396. Yesterday at 4:16 PM, when the Meerut district court pronounced the death sentence, both Muskan and Sahil wept. Perhaps both were hoping they would get life imprisonment. Counseling was provided to both of them. Muskan and Sahil did not even eat food at night. Muskan is already observing the Navratri fast. 590 days, 126 hearings, and 22 witnesses. In the 116-page verdict, the judge did not show any leniency. While delivering the verdict, citing the Gita, he said that inflicting punishment is also a duty. After the sentencing, Muskan asked in jail what would happen next? How will they appeal? Both now have the option to approach the High Court. Saurabh’s family members are happy to receive justice. Saurabh, who worked in the Merchant Navy, was killed by the blind love of Muskan and Sahil, who packed him into a blue drum, and they have now received their punishment. But the process of execution is long.
The whole night was spent in restlessness. Fear and silence were visible on their faces. After the death sentence was pronounced, Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla appeared very distressed in the Meerut jail. According to the jail administration, both convicts could not sleep well at night. They did not even eat dinner. Breakfast was provided in the morning, but both refused to eat that as well. Both Muskan and Sahil have been sentenced to death by the District Judge. After that, we also received the order late at night. As soon as they received the death sentence, they started crying uncontrollably, and they had taken dinner, but I just found out they said they would eat at night, but they did not. When Muskan murdered her husband Saurabh on March 3, 2025,
she had dreams of spending her life with her lover Sahil. But everything changed. When all the evidence related to the horrific incident reached the court, Muskan and Sahil were proven guilty. Only after that did the court fix the death sentence. Immediately after the announcement of the sentence, legal rules and regulations were implemented inside the jail regarding both convicts. In jail, Muskan has been kept in barracks number 12B. While Sahil is in barracks number 15. Both have been given jail uniforms. Along with this, both their prisoner numbers have also been finalized. Sahil’s prisoner number is 395. While Muskan’s prisoner number is 396. In the further process of the jail, their identity will be recorded based on these numbers.
When they will have to live wearing the prescribed prison clothes. Sahil has been given two pairs of white kurta pyjamas. At the same time, Muskan has received white and cream-colored clothes. These include one saree and one suit. Their numbers have been allotted. Criminal prisoner number, which is called the convicted prisoner number. And Sahil’s number is 395 2026 and Muskan’s prisoner number is 396 2026. Both have been given two pairs of prison clothes each. Sahil has been given white kurta pyjamas, which are given to men, and Muskan has been given premium sarees and suits given to women. Both have expressed their own desire to continue the work they were doing earlier. So Muskan will do embroidery work and Sahil will do the same gardening and farming work. Muskan and Sahil are now convicted prisoners.
Consequently, a big change has come into their lives inside the jail as well. From identity to work, all the rules have become different from before. Amidst this whole process, there is also intense discussion about when Saurav Rajput’s killers will be hanged? The answer to this question can also only be found legally. According to sections 22 and 407 of the BNS, the death sentence given by the lower court cannot be executed directly until all stages of the legal process are completed. The matter of confirmation of the death sentence pronounced by the district court will be sent to the Allahabad High Court. The convicts Muskan and Sahil have the right to appeal against this decision in the High Court. If the High Court upholds the sentence, they can appeal against it in the Supreme Court.
If the Supreme Court also puts its stamp on the death sentence, they can file a mercy petition before the President. If the President also rejects the mercy petition, then after all legal options are exhausted, the case file will come back to the Meerut District Court. After this, the District Judge will issue the date and warrant for the hanging of both. They have been told that the legal battle is still very long. There will be an appeal from the High Court to the Supreme Court and then the file goes to the Governor and the President. So for six years, her child can stay with her in prison until she turns six, she is going to be about one year old in November. She can stay with her. So she became satisfied regarding this child. So, she was repeatedly asking about her elder daughter, so she has been told that if a meeting is requested, it will be arranged; otherwise, she had asked for permission to write a letter, which has been granted. Overall, Muskan and Sahil still have many legal options available.
But how will they be able to prove their innocence? This question will always remain. The murder of Saurabh was revealed on March 18, 2025. After an investigation of 54 days, the police filed a charge sheet of approximately 1000 pages in court. During the trial, 22 witnesses recorded their statements in court. 590 days later, both convicts were sentenced. For now, it is difficult to say how long it will take for this sentence to be carried out. After receiving the death penalty from the lower court, the next legal process in the case will also be significant. It is being said that the verdict will be challenged in the High Court.
In such cases, the process of confirmation of the sentence and appeal proceeds according to the law. Following the sentencing in the Saurabh Rajput murder case, the prison arrangements, attire, and identity for Muskan and Sahil have changed. Preparations are now underway to send both of them to separate prisons. If the transfer process is completed, Muskan’s destination will be Lucknow and Sahil’s destination will be Agra. Meaning, not just their identity, but their prison as well.
