Pune, June 30, 2026: The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal took another turn on Monday after Sahil Goyal, brother of accused Siya Goyal, publicly stated that advocate Ashutosh Srivastava was neither appointed nor authorized by the family to represent his sister.
The statement came on the same day that a court in Vadgaon Maval extended the police custody of Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary until July 3, allowing investigators more time to pursue key leads in the case.
Family Denies Lawyer’s Authorization
Speaking to reporters, Sahil Goyal denied any formal association between the family and advocate Ashutosh Srivastava.
“We have never hired him, and he is not someone appointed by our family. I do not know anything about the claims being made,” Sahil said.
The statement has raised questions regarding legal representation in the case, with the family publicly distancing itself from Srivastava’s reported involvement.
Court Extends Police Custody
Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary were produced before the Vadgaon Maval court after the completion of their initial seven-day police custody.
After reviewing submissions from investigators, the court granted an extension of police custody until July 3.
The two accused were arrested on June 23 in connection with the death of 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal, who allegedly fell from a cliff at Lohagad Fort on June 18.
Police have alleged that the fall was not accidental and was the result of a planned conspiracy.
New Evidence Presented by Police
While seeking an extension of custody, investigators cited several developments in the case, including:
- CCTV footage allegedly showing the accused meeting at a café in Pune’s Lullanagar area before the incident.
- Reconstruction of the alleged crime scene at Lohagad Fort.
- Seizure of a scooter allegedly used by Chetan Chaudhary.
- Evidence suggesting the accused conducted prior visits and rehearsals before the alleged crime.
According to police, the investigation remains active, and several aspects are still being verified.
Defence Representation Clarified
Advocate Vipul Dushing, who stated that he was appointed by Siya Goyal’s family, appeared before the court on her behalf.
Speaking to the media, Dushing said the case remains at an early stage and that the defense would present its arguments before the court as proceedings continue.
Meanwhile, advocate Priyanka Baradkar, appearing as junior counsel to Ashutosh Srivastava, declined to discuss the matter before the hearing.
Police Allegations
Investigators have alleged that the accused carefully planned the incident.
According to police:
- Siya Goyal allegedly gave a pre-arranged signal shortly before the incident.
- Chetan Chaudhary allegedly pushed Agarwal from the cliff.
- The accused may have visited the fort in advance to identify a location and understand the terrain.
- A scooter was allegedly used instead of a car to avoid toll-plaza records and reduce the possibility of detection.
Police have also recreated the sequence of events at Lohagad Fort as part of their investigation.
Relationship Angle Under Investigation
Investigators claim that Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal became engaged on February 19 and were expected to marry later this year.
Police further allege that Siya Goyal had been involved in a relationship with Chetan Chaudhary since October 2025 and may have been unwilling to proceed with the planned marriage.
Authorities maintain that these allegations form part of the ongoing investigation and will ultimately be tested through judicial proceedings.
Investigation Continues
The Pune Rural Police continue to examine digital evidence, witness statements, movement records, and CCTV footage as they seek to establish the sequence of events leading to Agarwal’s death.
With police custody extended until July 3, investigators are expected to focus on corroborating the alleged conspiracy, examining communication records, and verifying claims regarding prior visits to Lohagad Fort.
The accused remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
