‘Blue Drum’ Case Accused Muskan Sings Bhajans, Snake Bite Murder Suspect Damini Handles Library In UP Jail
‘Blue Drum’ Case Accused Muskan Sings Bhajans, Snake Bite Murder Suspect Damini Handles Library In UP Jail Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 29
‘Blue Drum’ Case Accused Muskan Sings Bhajans, Snake Bite Murder Suspect Damini Handles Library In UP Jail Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 18:24 IST UP’s Blue Drum & Snake Bite Murder Accused Are In Same Meerut District Jail: Prison officials say emphasis on rehabilitation and mental well-being of Muskan Rastogi, Damini Panwar Rapid Read Muskan Rastogi and Damini Panwar (right). (News18 Hindi) Books, counselling sessions, prayers and childcare now define the daily lives of two women, lodged in Meerut District Jail and once accused in some of Uttar Pradesh’s most shocking husband murder cases. Damini, arrested in the alleged snakebite murder conspiracy of her husband, Atul Panwar, spends much of her day managing books in the prison library and assisting fellow inmates with reading and educational activities, a responsibility entrusted to her because of her educational background. While Muskan Rastogi, accused of murdering her husband, former Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput, and allegedly concealing his dismembered body inside a cement-filled blue drum, spends her time caring for her infant daughter, attending psychological counselling sessions and participating in devotional programmes organised inside the prison. As their respective cases inch through the legal process, prison officials say the emphasis remains on discipline, rehabilitation and mental well-being rather than the notoriety of the crimes they are accused of committing. MUSKAN RASTOGI’S BLUE DRUM CASE: SHE DENIES ALLEGATIONS; CHARGESHEET FILE, TRIAL AWAITED Muskan has been lodged in Meerut District Jail since March 2026, following her arrest in the alleged murder of her husband, Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy officer.
According to the police, Muskan and her alleged lover, Sahil Shukla, killed Rajput after he returned to Meerut from London. Investigators allege the duo later dismembered the body and sealed the remains inside a blue plastic drum filled with cement in an attempt to destroy evidence and delay the discovery of the crime. The gruesome allegations made the case one of the country’s most talked-about murder investigations. A chargesheet has since been filed, and the matter is awaiting trial. Muskan has denied the allegations against her. DAMINI PANWAR’S SNAKE BITE CASE: SHE DENIES ALLEGATIONS; PROBE IS ON On the other hand, Damini is the newest among the high-profile women inmates in the jail. She has been behind bars since July 2026, after being arrested for allegedly conspiring to murder her husband, Atul Panwar. Police claim she, along with her alleged lover, first sedated Panwar before arranging for a venomous snake to bite him, hoping his death would appear to be an accidental snakebite. Investigators have alleged that the motive was to claim a ₹20 lakh life insurance policy and remove the biggest hurdle in their relationship. Police also claim there had been an earlier unsuccessful attempt to eliminate Panwar by staging a road accident. Damini has denied the allegations, and the investigation is continuing. THEIR SCHEDULE Despite the sensational nature of the allegations, jail officials insist the two women receive no preferential or punitive treatment. Both are undertrials and follow the same prison schedule as the other women inmates. They wake up early, answer the morning roll call, have breakfast at fixed hours and perform duties assigned by the prison administration before returning to their barracks in the evening.
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