India News

Meerut murder case: Police confirm conspiracy behind Saurabh Rajput’s killing, dismiss black magic angle

Meerut Police have disclosed chilling details in the murder of Saurabh Rajput, whose dismembered body was found in a cement-filled drum. His wife and her lover have confessed to the crime, which police say was premeditated.

Published

1 year ago

March 21, 2025

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Meerut murder case: Parents of Muskaan Rastogi demand death penalty for their daughter

In a shocking murder case that has gripped Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, police have uncovered disturbing details in the killing of Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy officer, allegedly by his wife Muskaan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla. The investigation has ruled out any link to black magic, instead highlighting a premeditated murder driven by betrayal, addiction, and financial tensions.

Affair, divorce talks and prior attempt

Muskaan and Saurabh, who had a love marriage in 2016, reportedly saw their relationship deteriorate within a few years. According to Ayush Vikram Singh, Superintendent of Police, Meerut City, Saurabh discovered his wife’s affair with Sahil back in 2021. Their landlord had informed him after witnessing the two in a compromising situation.

Muskaan admitted that her extramarital affair with Sahil began in 2019. Although Saurabh had filed for divorce in 2021, his family persuaded him to reconcile. Despite this, tensions persisted. Muskaan alleged that Sahil was an alcoholic and in financial distress, often relying on her family for support.

The police revealed that an earlier attempt to kill Saurabh had failed on February 25, just a day after he returned from London, where he worked at a bakery since 2023. The accused eventually executed their plan on March 3.

Murder and cover-up

Saurabh’s dismembered body was found in a drum sealed with cement on March 4. Muskaan and Sahil had fled to Himachal Pradesh following the crime, only to be apprehended upon their return. During questioning, they confessed to the murder, and the weapon used in the crime was recovered.

The drum containing the remains had initially raised suspicions of black magic due to the gruesome nature of the crime. However, SP Ayush Vikram Singh clarified that the investigation found no evidence of occult practices, emphasizing it was a well-planned act.

Financial angle under scrutiny

Muskaan claimed that Saurabh had around Rs 6 lakh in his bank account and transferred Rs 1 lakh to her and Rs 1.5 lakh to his mother shortly before his death. These transactions are being verified by investigators, along with allegations from Saurabh’s family that his in-laws used his funds to purchase property and expensive gadgets.

The police are also examining Saurabh’s past overseas employment records and educational background as part of the ongoing probe.

Discovery and daughter’s chilling words

The murder came to light when the landlord, attempting to vacate the rented house, noticed a foul smell emanating from a heavy drum. Muskaan had told them it was filled with junk and left for her parents’ house. After her mother confronted her, she confessed and was reported to the police.

In a haunting twist, Saurabh’s six-year-old daughter had been telling neighbours, “Papa is in the drum,” indicating she may have witnessed or been aware of the crime.

Two police teams have been formed to collect additional evidence, including details from the couple’s time in Himachal Pradesh. Phones have been sent for forensic examination, and investigators are working to file a strong chargesheet to ensure stringent punishment.

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

Published

6 mins ago

August 16, 2026

APNLive Desk

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

India News

IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

Published

1 day ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

India News

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

1 day ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.