‘Spinning stories’: Police say Siya Goyal’s statements contradict mobile chats in Pune murder case

Lonavala: The investigation into the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal has taken a fresh turn after Lonavala police said the prime accused, Siya Goyal, has made conflicting statements during questioning, while chats recovered from mobile phones appear to contradict her claims.

According to investigators, Siya told police that she had informed Ketan she did not want to marry him. She allegedly claimed that Ketan insisted it was "too late" and that matters had "gone too far", leaving no way to call off the wedding.

However, police say the messages recovered from the mobile phones of both Ketan and Siya paint a different picture. Investigators claim the chats show the pair interacting like a typical engaged couple, exchanging affectionate messages in the run-up to their wedding.

"On the basis of the chats recovered from the phones, her claims are not convincing," a police official said, adding that investigators are examining the case from every possible angle.

Police also alleged that Siya has "started spinning stories" during interrogation, with investigators continuing to scrutinise her statements alongside digital evidence.

Investigation Continues

Ketan Agarwal, 26, is alleged to have been murdered after being pushed from Lohagad Fort near Pune on 18 June. His death was initially believed to have been the result of an accidental fall during a trek.

Lonavala Rural Police suspect that Siya, Ketan's fiancée, was reluctant to marry at this stage of her life and was allegedly under pressure from her family to go ahead with the marriage.

Siya Goyal and her friend, Chetan Chaudhary, were arrested on 23 June on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. Both are in police custody until 29 June as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, members of the Agarwal family are expected to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during one of his scheduled programmes in Pune on Friday.

(PTI)