In a stunning development in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, Praveen Goyal, father of accused Siya Goyal, has publicly stated that his daughter should face the death penalty if found guilty of killing her fiancé. This declaration comes amidst an ongoing investigation into the alleged murder at Pune's historic Lohagad Fort.
Father's Stance on Justice
Speaking to India Today TV, Praveen Goyal expressed his disbelief regarding the allegations against Siya but affirmed his commitment to justice. "If my daughter is found guilty, the court should not delay justice. She should be given the same punishment," he asserted, referring to the death penalty. Goyal revealed that the shock of his daughter's arrest had led to him being hospitalized in an intensive care unit, yet he maintained that his paternal emotions would not obstruct the legal process.
He described Ketan Agarwal as being like a son to him, emphasizing that the tragedy has shattered both families involved. "We were eagerly preparing for the wedding. Whatever has happened is deeply tragic. Even today, we cannot bring ourselves to believe it," he added.
Police Allegations and Family Denial
Pune Police allege that Siya Goyal and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, conspired to murder Ketan Agarwal by pushing him into a gorge at Lohagad Fort on June 18. Both Siya and Chaudhary are currently in judicial custody. Investigators believe the motive behind the alleged murder was Siya's reluctance to call off the engagement due, fearing social shame, after earlier failed attempts to kill him.
However, Siya's parents strongly refute claims that she was unwilling to marry Ketan. Her mother, Pooja Goyal, pointed to significant wedding preparations, including spending approximately Rs 50,000 on shopping for a planned pre-wedding trip to Bali. "If she had told us she didn't want to marry Ketan, why would we have spent so much on wedding shopping?" she questioned.
The parents also stated they had never observed any signs of discord between the couple, noting that Ketan frequently visited their home for dinner and that the pair regularly communicated via video calls, appearing happy together. Praveen Goyal also denied allegations from Ketan's father that Siya's family had concealed crucial information, asserting they had no knowledge of any relationship problems or his daughter's alleged affair.
The investigation into the Ketan Agarwal murder case remains active as authorities continue to gather evidence and piece together the events leading to the tragic incident.