India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
As the investigation into Pune businessman Ketan Agrawal’s death continues, the parents of accused Siya Goyal have said those responsible must face the strictest punishment – even if their own daughter is found guilty.
Ketan, a real estate director from a prominent Pune business family, died after falling into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Lonavala on June 18. What was initially treated as an accidental fall is now being investigated as an alleged murder conspiracy. Siya, who was engaged to Ketan and was reportedly set to marry him in a few months, and Chetan Chaudhary have been arrested in the case.
Pune businessman Ketan Agrawal’s death at Lohagad Fort on June 18, initially ruled accidental, is now investigated as murder conspiracy involving fiancée Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary. Goyal’s parents insist she face strict punishment if found responsible.
Speaking to ANI, Siya’s father Pravin Goyal said the family was devastated by Ketan’s death and had grown deeply attached to him.
“What happened is a very tragic event. We still can’t believe it. They’ve lost their son, and their son was ours too,” he said.
Pravin said Ketan had become like a son to the family and that they had been looking forward to the wedding, which was planned in Udaipur.
“I had grown so attached to him that it felt like he was our own son. We lost such a loving, promising, good boy today. We are deeply saddened by that. We had so many good dreams for the future,” he said.
He also said Siya had never expressed any unhappiness about the proposed marriage before the incident.
“Siya never expressed her displeasure about the wedding. Ever since the match was finalised, she was always happy. She always talked about Ketan. If they had even slightly informed us that something was going wrong, we would have talked to them,” he said.
Calling for action against whoever is found responsible, Pravin said even his daughter should not be spared if the allegations against her are proved.
“Let the strictest possible punishment be given to the murderer. Even if it is my own daughter, she should be punished,” he said.
Siya’s mother also said the news had left the family shocked and grieving, adding that both families had been looking forward to the wedding.
“Hearing this news, I was deeply shocked. The grief I feel for Ketan is immense. Two families have been devastated. Ketan was a very good boy,” she told PTI.
She said Siya and Ketan appeared to share a good relationship after their engagement and claimed the family was never told of any serious issues between them.
“There were very high hopes in both families for Siya and Ketan’s marriage. The other family treated Siya with a lot of love, and we also maintained a very good relationship. Everything was going well,” she said.
The mother said that if Siya is found guilty, she too should face the punishment prescribed by law.
“If someone is guilty, they should be punished strictly, even if that person is my own daughter,” she said.
Police claim relationship dispute led to alleged conspiracy
Police, however, have presented a different account of the relationship. Investigators have alleged that Siya was reluctant to go ahead with the marriage and was in a relationship with Chetan Chaudhary.
According to the police, Siya allegedly told investigators that she did not want to continue with the engagement but felt unable to call it off due to family and social pressure. Officers have claimed that Ketan remained committed to the marriage despite her alleged objections.
The police have alleged that Siya and Chetan planned Ketan’s death and tried to pass it off as an accident during a visit to Lohagad Fort. Investigators say Chetan allegedly reached the fort earlier and later followed Siya and Ketan to a secluded area, where Ketan was pushed into the gorge.
Police have cited CCTV footage, call records, location data and digital evidence as part of the investigation. They have also alleged that Siya and Chetan were in frequent contact in the months before Ketan’s death.
Ketan’s father Vishal Agrawal had earlier said the family initially believed the death was an accident. However, he said inconsistencies in the circumstances and Siya’s conduct later raised doubts, leading them to approach the police.
The investigation also expanded after police allegedly found CCTV footage and digital trails placing Chetan near the location. Chetan’s father, Babulal Chaudhary, has denied the allegations and claimed that his son has been falsely implicated.
Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary are in custody as the investigation continues. The allegations against them are yet to be tested in court.
