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Chetan Chaudhary, Siya Goyal sent to police custody(Img-X)
Pune: A court on Monday remanded accused Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to police custody till July 3 in connection with the alleged murder of businessman Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort.
According to Pune Rural Police, the investigation has indicated that the murder was allegedly planned in advance by Goyal and Chaudhary. Police suspect that Goyal gave a pre-decided signal to Chaudhary moments before Agarwal was allegedly pushed off a cliff on June 18.
Investigators said Goyal reportedly sat down on the ground on the pretext of drinking water, which served as a signal to Chaudhary. Police believe this was done to ensure she remained out of Agarwal’s reach, preventing him from grabbing her for support while falling.
An official from Pune Rural Police said the probe has revealed that the crime was allegedly planned by Siya Goyal and her friend Chetan Chaudhary. Investigators have also found that the two allegedly met at a café in Pune’s Lullanagar area a day before the incident, where the conspiracy is suspected to have been discussed. CCTV footage from the area has been recovered by police.
Police are also examining whether the accused had rehearsed the crime before carrying it out. Efforts are underway to identify the location where the alleged practice may have taken place.
On Sunday morning, Pune Rural Police took Siya Goyal to Lohagad Fort for crime scene reconstruction. A scooter allegedly used by Chetan Chaudhary to travel nearly 100 km from Pune to the fort has also been seized. Police suspect the scooter was used to avoid toll plazas during the journey.
Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal were engaged on February 19 and were expected to get married later this year. Police suspect that Goyal was in a relationship with Chaudhary since October last year and did not want to proceed with the marriage.
Both accused were arrested on June 23 and were initially sent to seven-day police custody till June 29. Their custody has now been extended till July 3 as the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has approved the setting up of a fast-track court in the case. Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor.
The decision came after Ketan Agarwal’s father met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Pune and sought speedy justice. The Chief Minister assured the family that strict action would be taken and that the trial would be fast-tracked.
