MEERUT: The two accused, Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, of the murder of merchant navy employee Saurabh Rajput in Meerut on March 4, over their affair, have been suffering torturous drug withdrawal symptoms in Meerut district jail.
After their arrest, Muskan and Sahil were remanded to judicial custody. Both the 27-year-old accused are lodged inside the Meerut District Jail in separate barracks for men and women.
On the very first night of being lodged in jail, Muskan's health started to worsen. The doctors diagnosed her with severe drug addiction and started urgent treatment. On the other, the official sources claimed that Sahil created a ruckus in the prison and demanded drugs.
He showed extreme restlessness without marijuana. Muskan also demanded morphine injections. As per the official sources, both the accused haven't slept properly since Wednesday and have shunned food. They are also refusing to eat and drink.
Both Muskan and Sahil have been long-time drug abusers. Muskan’s father had claimed that Sahil had instigated her to kill Saurabh because he would have interfered in their affair and drug abuse. As per the police sources, Muskan and Rajput got married in 2016 against the wishes of Rajput’s family.
Muskan and Sahil Shukla had known each other since school and reconnected via a WhatsApp group in 2019. Muskan, in connivance with Sahil, allegedly drugged Saurabh Rajput on March 4 and punctured his heart with three blows by a knife. They dismembered his body and sealed it inside a drum with cement.
Later, Sahil took Saurabh’s body to his house, located in the same locality. During the investigation, police discovered graffiti, tantric symbols, and liquor cans there. He later brought the body parts back to Muskan’s house for final concealment. After this, they tried to cover their act and travelled to Himachal Pradesh.
They visited Manali, Kasol, and Shimla before returning to Meerut on March 17. It was during this time that Muskan used Saurabh’s phone to send misleading messages to his family. She also shared pictures on her Instagram. Upon their return, Muskan’s landlord, who had already grown suspicious of her, demanded that the family vacate the property. The people who were helping the family move out noticed a foul odour emanating from an unusually heavy drum.
The case came to the notice of Meerut police on March 18 resulting in the arrest of both the accused. Meanwhile, the jail authorities attributed the behaviour of the two accused to drug withdrawal symptoms. Officials also confirmed that the two had been regular user of injectable drugs, which has now led to them facing severe withdrawal.
The jail's de-addiction centre, which is taking care of the accused, has put the two under treatment for managing withdrawal system. The prison's medical team is also constantly monitoring them. Jail doctors have prescribed medicines to manage their symptoms. Their families appear to have shunned them as they haven't had any visitors.
Muskan Rastogi's parents had said she deserved a death sentence for allegedly killing Saurabh Rajput, who used to love and support her. Saurabh Rajput's family has alleged both Muskan and Sahil were involved in occult practices.
A jail official, on condition of anonymity, described their dependency as severe, adding that additional precautions have been taken to prevent any harm to themselves or others. Amid the buzz of Muskan being pregnant, the jail authorities are also contemplating a pregnancy test on her.
