27 June,2026 11:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana Dahiwal
Ketan’s father, Vishal Agarwal, hands over a list of demands to CM Devendra Fadnavis in Pune on Friday. Pic Courtesy/CMO
[popcorn number="JUNE 19" desc=" Day Ketan Agarwal was allegedly murdered" class="Default"]
The Maharashtra government on Friday announced that the trial of the Ketan Agarwal murder case would be fast-tracked, and appointed senior Advocate Ujjwal Nikam as Special Public Prosecutor. In a striking reaction, Siya Goyal's mother said she should receive the harshest punishment if found guilty. The decision followed a meeting between Ketan's father, Vishal Agarwal, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Pune. Vishal sought speedy justice and demanded the strictest punishment for the accused.
The police claimed that Siya - fiancée of 26-year-old Ketan - cited his bald patch and speech impediment among the reasons she did not want to marry him. During interrogation, Siya allegedly admitted that she never wished to marry Ketan, but refrained from breaking off the alliance as she did not want to embarrass or hurt her family. Instead, she conspired with her alleged boyfriend - Chetan Choudhary - to eliminate Ketan and portray the murder as a trekking accident at Lohagad Fort.
When the police questioned Siya on why she didn't simply refuse the marriage proposal, she allegedly told investigators that calling off the wedding would have damaged her family's reputation. "I didn't want to hurt my family. Ending Ketan's life seemed easier than cancelling the marriage," she said.
The police said that Siya claimed she was unhappy with Ketan's appearance and personality. She told investigators that Ketan had a bald area, which he covered with a hair patch, and that he also stammered. While both families were aware of these issues before the engagement, she remained dissatisfied with the alliance.
Responding to the claims, Vishal clarified that his son only had a small bald patch and that the Goyal family and Siya had been informed about it before the engagement. "Nobody raised any objection at the time. If she did not want to marry my son, she should have said so. Why was there any need to kill him?" the Pune-based builder told the media.
Meanwhile, no member of the Goyal family has met Siya since her arrest. Her father, Praveen Goyal, has been admitted to hospital after reportedly suffering a health setback following the incident.
Speaking with the media, Siya's mother said, "Siya didn't force Ketan for the Lohagad trek⦠he insisted. She should receive the harshest punishment if found guilty." She also denied that Siya had a drinking habit, asserting that they hid nothing from the Agarwal family.
Ketan's death during the trek at Lohagad Fort on June 18 initially appeared to be an accidental fall. However, the investigation led to the arrest of Siya and Chetan after police concluded that the incident was a premeditated murder staged as an accident.
Vishal also expressed suspicion that more people may have been involved in planning the crime, noting that Siya's brother Sahil Goyal and co-accused Chetan Choudhary were known to each other. On Friday, the Lonavala Police summoned Sahil for questioning. Police are examining whether anyone else had prior knowledge of or involvement in the alleged conspiracy.
Chief Minister Fadnavis assured the bereaved family that the government is committed to ensuring a speedy investigation and trial. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) tweeted that Fadnavis accepted the family's demands at the meeting and issued directions accordingly. Fadnavis said the "extremely shocking" case compelled society to reflect on why children from educated and well-settled families develop "malicious and destructive thinking". He urged citizens to view the case not just as a crime but through a social lens. Siya left her studies after Std XII. Her relatives said that her parents had struggled to have children, and that Siya was born after they had lost all hope.
