Death‑sentence convicts in Meerut’s ‘blue drum’ murder file high‑court appeal

Two people sentenced to death for the 2026 murder of Saurabh Rajput in Meerut have filed appeals in the Allahabad High Court seeking to overturn their convictions. Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla filed criminal appeals on September 30 to quash the Meerut district and sessions court orders that convicted them and on October 14, 2026 sentenced them to death. The trial court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on each. The case, popularly called the ‘blue drum’ murder, involved the victim’s body being found in a blue plastic drum filled with cement and concrete near Brahmpuri police station. In their petitions, the appellants describe the verdict as illegal and arbitrary and ask for acquittal under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. They argue the prosecution did not prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt and that the court relied on speculation rather than solid evidence. A division bench of the high court is expected to hear the matter next week. ## Context The blue drum case sparked public anger across Meerut. Death‑penalty judgments in India are reviewed by higher courts to ensure strict compliance with legal standards, especially the requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt.