Meerut blue drum case: With Muskan on death row, what will happen to her infant daughter

Despite her mother Muskan Rastogi being sentenced to death for the murder of her husband Saurabh Rajput in the infamous blue drum case, 10-month-old Radha will continue to stay with her in Meerut district jail for now.

In Short

• 10-month-old Radha to stay with Muskan despite getting death in blue drum case
• Prison rules allow children to stay with imprisoned mothers until 6
• Muskan, lover Sahil killed husband Saurabh, hid body in blue drum in 2025

Ten-month-old Radha will continue to live with her mother, Muskan Rastogi, in Meerut district jail for now, despite the latter being sentenced to death on Wednesday for killing her husband, Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput, in the infamous blue drum case.

Born on November 24 last year at a Meerut medical college, Radha was brought back to jail with Muskan after delivery. Under jail rules, children can stay with their incarcerated mothers until the age of six.

Senior Jail Superintendent Dr Viresh Raj Sharma told news agency PTI that there would be no immediate change in the infant's living arrangements, as the sentence would not be carried out immediately.

"The convicts have the option of appealing before the High Court and the Supreme Court, followed by filing mercy petitions before the Governor and the President," Sharma said, adding that a decision on Radha's future would be taken once an execution date was fixed.

Radha's paternity had been questioned following her birth. Saurabh's family had sought a DNA test, with his elder brother saying they would accept her if she was established to be Saurabh's daughter. No DNA test is known to have been conducted so far.

Muskan also has a seven-year-old daughter, Pihu, who is believed to be living with her maternal grandparents. Sharma said Muskan had been seeking permission to meet Pihu for the past three to four days, but the meeting had not taken place by the time the sentence was pronounced.

He has also expressed concern about her younger daughter's future, Sharma said.

Meanwhile, a decision on whether Muskan and her lover, Sahil Shukla, will remain in Meerut jail or be transferred elsewhere will be taken after authorities receive the detailed court order.

ABOUT THE BLUE DRUM CASE

Muskan and Sahil were convicted on September 30 for killing Saurabh on March 3, 2025, dismembering his body and hiding the remains in a blue drum filled with cement. According to the prosecution, Muskan and Sahil planned Saurabh's killing amid their relationship and wanted to remove him from their lives.

The crime came to light about a fortnight later, when the remains were discovered at the couple's house.

During the death sentence hearing on Wednesday, District and Sessions Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra referred to the Mahabharata, observing that punishment is also a form of dharma.

While the question of Radha's long-term care remains unanswered, she will continue to stay with Muskan in jail as her mother and Sahil pursue the legal options available to them.

- Ends
(with inputs from PTI)