‘Told her that parents are in London’: Kin of Muskan, Saurabh may move court seeking custody of their 6-year-old daughter

Muskan’s father Pramod Rastogi, however, said that the girl may remind Saurabh’s family members of his killer and they may eventually resent her. “At present, they may be staking a claim on her because Saurabh had purchased a small piece of land in her name in Meerut last year and if she remains with them, they will be the rightful owner of that land.”

Ayush Vikram Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP), Meerut, said both families have been advised to take legal recourse. “Only the court can decide who is rightfully and legally suitable to take the minor girl’s custody. The role of the police is restricted to arresting the culprits, which we did. We will follow court orders whenever we are directed to ensure her custody with a particular family,” he said.

Pramod, meanwhile, said that he was willing to give it in writing that he had nothing to do with Saurabh’s money or property, and added that he “will not get her separated from us at any cost”.

Muskan’s mother Kavita Rastogi said the girl currently lives with them and asks for her parents every day. “She has mostly lived with us since her birth as Muskan used to leave her with us on most days. We have a strong connection with her. We told her that her parents have gone to London and will return soon. She asks us to videocall them, but we make excuses,” Kavitha said.

Rahul said he was ready to move court to obtain the girl’s custody. “I had gone to see off Saurabh when he left for London the last time. He asked me who would take care of his daughter if something happened to him. I was taken aback by the question, but promised him that I would look after her. At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about. If I had the slightest hint of what was to happen, my brother would have been alive,” he added.

Saurabh’s mother Renu Rajput said they are prepared to fight every legal battle to get justice for her son. “We naturally love our granddaughter. Our foremost aim is to ensure that my son’s killers are hanged,” she stated.

The investigation has revealed that Muskan stabbed her semi-conscious husband in the chest on March 3 with the help of her boyfriend Sahil Shukla. Sahil then allegedly dismembered the body in the bathroom before putting the parts in a drum and pouring cement into it. The two accused then embarked on a 14-day tour to Himachal Pradesh, mainly Shimla, in a taxi.

Muskan and Sahil were arrested on March 19 and sent to judicial custody will April 1. The judicial remand was later extended till April 16.