In a dramatic turn of events inside the walls of Meerut District Jail, Muskan Rastogi — the main accused in the brutal murder of her husband, ex-merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput — has expressed her desire to study law so she can represent herself in court.
Rastogi, 28, has submitted a formal request to the jail authorities, citing dissatisfaction with the legal support provided to her so far. She told officials that she wants to understand legal procedures better and intends to fight her case independently.
The request, while unusual, is not unprecedented. However, there’s a significant hurdle ahead for her. According to jail officials, Muskan has only studied up to Class 8 and lacks the necessary qualifications — particularly a senior secondary certificate — to pursue an LLB course. Without completing her 12th-grade education, she is currently ineligible for formal legal studies.
Authorities are now exploring options for her to resume her education, including through prison education programs such as those offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), which operates within several Indian jails.
Muskan, along with her partner Sahil Shukla, was arrested in March 2025 for the sensational murder case that shocked the nation. According to the police investigation, the duo drugged Saurabh Rajput, stabbed him to death, and later dismembered his body, storing the remains in a cement-filled blue drum inside their home. The murder came to light after neighbors reported a foul odor, leading to the horrific discovery.
Further adding to the case’s notoriety, Muskan was later found to be pregnant with Sahil’s child — a fact confirmed by a medical examination inside the jail.
As the trial progresses, all eyes are now on the legal system to see how Muskan’s latest move will be addressed. While jail authorities maintain that every inmate has the right to education and self-representation, the nature of the crime and Muskan’s background have sparked intense public and media scrutiny.
This chilling case continues to unfold, blending elements of love, betrayal, and a quest for legal empowerment — all behind bars.
