Meerut murder accused seeks government lawyer amid family estrangement
What's the story
Muskan Rastogi, suspected of murdering her husband Saurabh Rajput, has now asked for a government-appointed lawyer to defend her.
This comes after her family reportedly is "upset" with her and has refused to fight her case.
Along with Sahil Shukla, Rastogi is now lodged in Meerut District Jail for allegedly stabbing Rajput to death on March 4 and then chopping off his body.
Incarceration details
Jail authorities confirm separation of murder suspects
Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma confirmed that Rastogi and Shukla are lodged in separate barracks of the Meerut District Jail.
The premises are specifically reserved for men and women, ensuring no contact between the two.
"Yesterday, Muskan wanted to meet me," said Sharma. "She said that her family is upset and won't fight her case."
Substance abuse
Jail administration addresses inmates' drug addiction issues
Both Rastogi and Shukla have been found to be substance abusers. While Rastogi has asked for morphine injections in custody, Shukla has expressed a liking for marijuana.
The two also went on a hunger strike, a sign of probable withdrawal from drugs.
Sharma said they were being administered medicines for withdrawal symptoms and were being treated at de-addiction centers.
Rehabilitation efforts
Jail administration promotes rehabilitation and isolation
To promote rehabilitation, Rastogi and Shukla are undergoing counseling, and yoga and meditation sessions.
Sharma added the jail administration is also trying to keep other inmates away from the two and avoid too much discussion about their case.
"We are trying to ensure that common inmates stay away from them and not ask about their case again and again," he said.
Parental stance
Rastogi's father advocates for severe punishment
Muskan's father Pramod Rastogi was instrumental in her confession of the crime; he took her to the police station where she confessed to killing her husband after some evasions.
However, Pramod has campaigned for capital punishment for his daughter; he said "The verdict, in this case, should come fast, and I don't want anything less than capital punishment for her."