Sahil Shukla, one of the two suspects in the murder of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput, used the victim’s money for gambling, police sources revealed. He placed bets on cricket matches and used his winnings to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself and Muskan Rastogi, Saurabh’s wife and co-accused.

Sahil’s Betting on IPL Matches

Investigators discovered that Sahil placed bets through bookies, whose identities are under investigation. He reportedly used his winnings to finance trips to Rishikesh and Dehradun with Muskan. Neighbors also revealed that Sahil had no stable job and relied heavily on gambling earnings.

Saurabh regularly transferred around ₹1 lakh to Muskan for her and their daughter. Each time the money arrived, Muskan informed Sahil, who then used it to place bets on IPL matches. Police also found that Sahil had been gambling on cricket for years. Before his arrest, he was preparing to bet on the upcoming IPL season.

Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh confirmed, “While working in London, Saurabh often sent money to Muskan for her expenses. Just before his murder, he had transferred ₹1 lakh to her account.” The police are now investigating Sahil’s betting activities further and will include these details in their report.

Murder Plot and Investigation

During questioning, Sahil and Muskan admitted to planning Saurabh’s murder as early as November last year. They revealed how they procured materials for the crime and where they sourced them.

As the probe continues, police have identified nine individuals linked to the case, including four shopkeepers, a doctor, a chemist, a cab driver, a tenant, and an account holder who received money transfers. So far, Meerut police have questioned seven suspects. SP Singh stated that investigators are interrogating them to uncover further details.

Saurabh’s Mother Seeks Justice

Saurabh’s mother has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demanding a thorough investigation and the death penalty for the accused.

She also expressed concern for her granddaughter’s safety and sought custody. “I want justice. I want the culprits to get the death penalty. I appeal to PM Modi and CM Yogi for a thorough investigation. Whether it is done by the crime branch or the CBI, I want to know everything and the reason behind my son’s murder,” said Renu Devi, Saurabh’s mother.

Saurabh, a merchant navy officer, was allegedly murdered by Muskan and Sahil on March 4. They hacked his body, stuffed it in a drum, and covered it with cement.

Renu Devi also revealed that she had not seen her granddaughter since her son’s murder. “We have a granddaughter, and we want to see her. If Muskan could murder her husband, what else could she do?” she questioned.

Muskan’s Parents Demand Capital Punishment

Surprisingly, Muskan’s parents also called for the death penalty for their daughter. Her father shared that she confessed to the crime while they were on their way to the police station. “She admitted that she and a friend killed her husband. I took her to the police station and told her to tell the truth. The verdict should come fast, and I want nothing less than capital punishment for her. My son-in-law deserves justice,” he declared. As the case unfolds, authorities continue gathering evidence and questioning suspects to ensure justice is served.