The investigation into the Ketan Agarwal murder case has taken a fresh turn after Pune Rural Police claimed that mobile phones recovered from the accused contain chats written in coded language, symbols and nicknames. Investigators argued that custodial interrogation of Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary was necessary to decode the conversations, but a Pune court declined the request and remanded both accused to judicial custody until July 16.
The two are accused of pushing Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal off Lohagad Fort on June 18, days before the victim was scheduled to marry Siya Goyal.
Police say coded chats could reveal murder conspiracy
During the hearing, the prosecution told the court that forensic analysis of mobile phones seized in the Ketan Agarwal murder case had uncovered conversations containing coded language, emojis and aliases that investigators believe could provide crucial evidence.
Hindustan Times noted that police also informed the court that another mobile phone allegedly belonging to Siya Goyal had been recovered and sent to the forensic science laboratory for examination. According to prosecutors, only the accused can explain the meaning of the recovered chats, making further interrogation essential.
However, the defence opposed the request, arguing that investigators had already received sufficient time to question both accused. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the plea for additional police custody.
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Crime reconstruction and rehearsal site examined
Hindustan Times noted that investigators have continued gathering evidence in the Ketan Agarwal murder case through crime scene reconstruction and forensic examination.
Police recently took Siya Goyal to an open ground in Pune’s Lullanagar, where she and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary allegedly rehearsed the murder before travelling to Lohagad Fort. Officers also conducted a panchnama at the location where Goyal allegedly disposed of Ketan Agarwal’s passport while travelling towards Mumbai.
The investigation team has seized clothes allegedly worn by Goyal on the day of the incident and previously recreated the sequence of events at Lohagad Fort using a dummy in the presence of the accused.
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Lie detector test sought as probe continues
The Ketan Agarwal murder case investigation has also expanded to include scientific examination techniques. Pune Rural Police have approached the court seeking permission to conduct a lie detector test on Siya Goyal, citing inconsistencies in her statements during questioning.
Hindustan Times noted that investigators have additionally carried out a gait analysis on Chetan Chaudhary to compare his movements with available video evidence. Police said Ketan Agarwal’s father had previously expressed concerns that his son frequently spoke about Goyal’s closeness to Chaudhary before his death.
With forensic evidence, reconstructed crime scenes and allegedly coded conversations now forming the backbone of the investigation, police continue to piece together the sequence of events surrounding the Ketan Agarwal murder case.
