Crime
Pune fort murder case: Siya Goyal's brother says family would have called off marriage if she had objected
Pune/IBNS: Sahil Goyal, the brother of Siya Goyal—one of the accused in the alleged murder of her fiancé, Ketan Agarwal—has told police that the family would have called off the marriage had his sister expressed her unwillingness to go ahead with it, according to media reports.
Sahil made the statement during nearly 10 hours of questioning by investigators probing the alleged murder of Ketan, a 26-year-old realtor from Pune.
Questioned over Siya's relationship with co-accused
Police said Sahil was questioned about Siya's relationship with co-accused Chetan Chaudhary.
According to investigators, Sahil admitted that he knew Chetan, even though his parents had earlier claimed they were unaware of him.
During the interrogation, Sahil reportedly said Siya first met Chetan while attending one of his cricket matches.
Police said the two later met again at a Diwali party hosted by a mutual friend and gradually grew close to each other.
However, Siya's lawyer has maintained that his client and Chetan were "only friends."
The alleged murder plot
The case centres on the death of 26-year-old businessman Ketan Agarwal, who initially appeared to have died after falling from Lohagad Fort near Pune during a trek on June 18.
Police later alleged that the incident was a pre-planned murder disguised as an accident.
According to Pune Rural Police, Ketan's fiancée, Siya Goyal (20), and her alleged boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary (22), conspired to kill him.
Investigators claim the duo conducted reconnaissance visits to Lohagad Fort, studied the terrain, remained in constant contact and selected a vulnerable spot from where Ketan was allegedly pushed to his death.
Investigation and arrests
Police allege that Siya initially reported Ketan's death as an accidental fall.
However, inconsistencies in her statement, along with CCTV footage, digital evidence, witness accounts and forensic findings, prompted investigators to register a murder case. Both Siya and Chetan have since been arrested.
Investigators have also claimed that Siya allegedly told them orchestrating Ketan's murder seemed "easier" than confronting her family about her unwillingness to marry him.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the alleged conspiracy, the accused's relationship and possible motives.
The allegations remain part of the police investigation and are yet to be tested in court.
Case draws nationwide attention
The high-profile case has attracted nationwide attention due to the alleged conspiracy involving an engaged couple and the extensive digital trail that investigators claim helped unravel the alleged murder plot.
The investigation is ongoing.
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