MEERUT: Muskan Rastogi, 28, the prime accused in the murder of her husband—former merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput—has expressed a desire to study law while in jail, hoping to eventually represent herself in court.
Currently lodged at the Chaudhary Charan Singh District Jail in Meerut, Muskan has told jail authorities that she is dissatisfied with the legal support she has received so far and wants to pursue legal studies to fight her own case.
Muskan and her alleged partner, Sahil Shukla, are accused of drugging and murdering Rajput, 35, on the night of March 4. The dismembered body was discovered on March 19, stuffed in a blue drum filled with cement at the victim’s residence in Brahmpuri, Meerut. The couple was arrested after returning from a trip to Himachal Pradesh.
According to jail officials, Muskan has studied only up to Class 8 and does not hold a senior secondary certificate—a basic requirement for enrolling in legal studies in India. Jail authorities have informed her that she would first need to complete her higher secondary education before pursuing an LLB degree.
“Muskan has shown interest in pursuing legal education. We are exploring how we can assist her, including through IGNOU, which offers educational programs for inmates,” said jail superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma. He added that since Muskan’s incarceration, no family members have visited her, unlike Sahil, who has received visits from his maternal grandmother and brother.
The jail administration is considering her request and has assured support if she is serious about continuing her education.
Earlier this month, police submitted a detailed chargesheet running over 1,000 pages against the accused. During a routine medical examination, Muskan was also found to be pregnant.
