The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal has taken a new turn after police questioned the brother of the prime accused, Siya Goyal, for nearly 10 hours. During the interrogation, Sahil Goyal reportedly told investigators that the family would have cancelled the marriage had Siya expressed any unwillingness to marry Ketan.
The questioning comes as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Ketan’s death, which police now allege was the outcome of a planned conspiracy involving Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary. The marriage between Ketan and Siya was scheduled for November.
According to police, Sahil Goyal appeared before investigators on Friday morning and was allowed to leave only late in the evening after extensive questioning. Officers sought information about Siya’s relationship with Chetan Chaudhary and verified multiple aspects of the investigation.
“If Siya had said she didn’t like Ketan, we would have stopped the wedding,” Sahil reportedly told the police.
An official at the Lonavala Rural Police Station confirmed that Sahil had been summoned for questioning and was released after several hours.
Police allege conspiracy behind Lohagad Fort death
Police allege that Ketan Agarwal was killed on June 18 at Lohagad Fort after being pushed off a cliff by his fiancée, Siya Goyal, 20, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, 22.
Investigators believe the duo planned the crime because Siya allegedly no longer wanted to go ahead with the marriage.
Ketan, Director and Chief Marketing Officer of his family’s real estate company, Success Group, was initially believed to have died in a trekking accident. The investigation later shifted after police concluded that the death was not accidental.
CCTV footage and earlier visits under scanner
The case was first registered as an accidental death after Siya allegedly claimed Ketan had slipped during the trek.
Police said CCTV footage from the Lohagad Fort ticket counter later changed the direction of the investigation. According to investigators, the footage showed a man wearing a hoodie and shorts walking a short distance behind the couple despite the day’s temperature being around 33 degrees Celsius.
In one of the clips, Siya was allegedly seen looking behind while the hooded man suddenly sat down. Police later identified him as Chetan Chaudhary.
Investigators also allege that Siya had repeatedly persuaded Ketan to visit Lohagad Fort before the incident. They claim the couple visited the fort on May 31 and that she proposed another visit on June 4, which Ketan’s mother reportedly prevented.
Police further allege that on June 14, Siya attempted to push Ketan from the cliff, but he escaped after grabbing a bush. When questioned at the time, she allegedly said there had been a snake nearby.
Families offer differing accounts
Siya’s mother has disputed the allegation that her daughter wanted to visit the fort on the day of the incident.
According to her, Ketan and his mother persuaded Siya during a video call on the evening of June 17 to accompany him, despite Siya saying she had a family function the following day and wanted to rest.
Siya’s father also dismissed reports of an extravagant wedding budget. He said the wedding was planned in Udaipur in November and that the family had booked 70 hotel rooms. According to him, the total expenditure was expected to remain below Rs 3 crore.
Ketan’s father dismisses speculation
Ketan Agarwal’s father, Vishal Agarwal, rejected speculation that his son’s use of a toupee had any connection with the alleged motive.
“Ketan had a small patch of hair loss due to medical reasons, but this was clearly communicated well before the marriage was finalised,” he said.
“If she had any issues, she could have just said ‘no’. It would have been very easy for Siya to simply call off the wedding if that was an issue for her,” he added.
Maharashtra government promises fast-track trial
The case has drawn widespread attention in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently met Ketan’s father in Pune and assured the family of support during the legal process.
The Maharashtra government has agreed to seek a fast-track trial and has appointed senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor in the case.
“It is an extremely shocking and incomprehensible incident. As a society, we need to reflect on why educated young men and women from good families develop such criminal intent and a desire for revenge. This is not merely a criminal issue; it also has a social angle,” Fadnavis said.