Pune: A purported Snapchat conversation that investigators are examining has added a new dimension to the murder investigation surrounding Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal's death, with police now probing whether an alleged message about a "wedding that was never going to happen" was linked to a larger conspiracy.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the chat allegedly shows accused Siya Goyal asking a friend for a copy of her Aadhaar card to book flight tickets. In the purported exchange, Siya is said to have remarked that the tickets were for a wedding that would never take place.

The alleged message has drawn investigators' attention as they seek to determine whether it was part of an effort to maintain the appearance that wedding preparations were progressing normally while a murder plot was being planned. Police are yet to authenticate the conversation and establish its evidentiary value.

Coded messages under scanner

The Snapchat angle has surfaced as investigators continue examining digital evidence recovered from mobile phones allegedly used by Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary.

Police claim that data retrieved from the devices indicates the two communicated through coded references, nicknames and signs that investigators believe were intended to conceal the nature of their conversations. Officials are now attempting to decode these exchanges and understand whether they contain details related to the alleged murder conspiracy.

Court sends accused to judicial custody

A local court has remanded Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to 14 days of judicial custody after declining a police request for additional custodial interrogation.

Investigating officer Manoj Pawar told the court that a spot panchnama had been conducted at a location where Siya was suspected of tearing Ketan's passport. Police have also seized clothing and examined a second mobile phone allegedly linked to her, which reportedly contained conversations of investigative interest.

The issue of conducting narco analysis also came up during court proceedings.

The court observed that such tests cannot be carried out without the consent of the accused. Since both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary reportedly declined consent, permission was not granted. Prosecutors also informed the court that a narco examination was not necessary at this stage of the investigation.

Murder allegations and Lohagad Fort death

The case stems from the death of Ketan Agarwal, who was engaged to Siya Goyal.

According to the FIR lodged by Ketan's father, Vishal Devichand Agarwal, Siya and Chetan allegedly pushed Ketan from a cliff near Lohagad Fort.

The complaint states that Ketan left home on June 18 and picked up Siya from the Kiwale area before travelling towards the fort. Later that morning, Siya allegedly informed Ketan's family that he had fallen into a gorge.

He was subsequently located by locals and police personnel and taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.