The murder of Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort has drawn widespread attention in Maharashtra, with police alleging that his fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged partner, Chetan Chaudhary, conspired to kill him.
According to the police, Ketan’s family had arranged his wedding to Siya, but she was allegedly in a relationship with Chetan. Investigators claim that the two lured Ketan to Lohagad Fort, where they allegedly pushed him off a cliff, resulting in his death. Police have alleged that the crime was planned in advance.
‘GOYAL FAMILY IS DEEPLY RELIGIOUS’
As the investigation progresses, details aboutSiya’s family backgroundhave also come to light. According to Saraswati Goyal, a person associated with the Goyal family for several years, Siya was born after years of prayers by her
parents. Before her birth, the couple had adopted a son from their extended family, News18 Marathi reported. Family acquaintances said Siya was the only biological child of her parents. They described her parents as religious individuals who regularly organised religious and social events, including recitations of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and other rituals. Some acquaintances have also alleged that Siya struggled with substance use and frequently attended parties. They claimed that her lifestyle had led some relatives to distance their children from her. These claims have not been independently verified.
‘GIVE SIYA THE STRICTEST PUNISHMENT’
Siya’s mother, Pooja Goyal, on Thursday demanded stringent punishment for her daughter, asserting that if she is found guilty of the crime, she should face the same fate and be thrown from the exact spot where the victim was dumped.
Speaking to reporters, Pooja Goyalstated that Siya never expressed any dissatisfaction regarding the marriage. She further said that the family was entirely unaware of Chetan’s existence, emphasising that since the engagement, her daughter had communicated exclusively with Ketan.
“…If anyone is at fault in this, they should be given the harshest punishment. Even if it includes my daughter. If my daughter is found guilty, then she should be thrown from the same place where Ketan was thrown… The family had so much hope for Siya and Ketan’s marriage. There were so many expectations, so much affection,” said Pooja Goyal.
“Ketan’s family also treated Siya with great affection and love. All the functions were going well. They had also organised many events for her birthday celebration. If we felt that Siya was having some problem or was not able to talk to Ketan, then they would discuss it with us… Siya never expressed any displeasure about this marriage… We did not know anything about Chetan. Ever since the engagement, she only spoke to Ketan… I don’t believe that she agreed to commit the crime, but if the investigation reveals that she is guilty, then give her the harshest punishment… For the marriage, they booked Ananta Resort in Udaipur. The cost was Rs 3 crore, and we were planning to spend Rs 5 crore on the wedding…” said Pooja Goyal.
Alongside her, Siya Goyal’s father, Pravin Goyal, also demanded stringent actionagainst his daughter in connection with the case, asserting that the perpetrators should receive the harshest possible punishment.
Ketan Agarwal’s uncle, Vijay Agarwal, demanded justice for his nephew, declaring that he believes in the country’s legal system. “We want justice. The search is ongoing, and we have been told it continues, but we have no information… My son was 26, well-educated. Listening to his parents, he agreed to an arranged marriage, and he was killed. Who said what, I do not know. I only believe in our country’s law…” Vijay Agarwal told reporters.
Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary are currently in seven-day police custody until June 29 as further investigation continues.
With agency inputs
