The father of Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal, who was allegedly pushed to his death by his fiancée, has refuted claims that accused Siya Goyal was upset over Ketan wearing a hair patch. He stated that Siya and her family were fully aware of it long before the engagement took place.
Ketan’s father, Vishal Agarwal, confirmed that his son used “a small wig patch” but strongly denied allegations that this fact had been hidden from the bride’s family.
“It is true that Ketan wore a small wig patch. Siya and her family knew about it before the engagement. If she had any objection, she could have refused the marriage. Why was there a need to take my son’s life?” he said while addressing reporters, amid growing speculation about the motive behind the murder.
The issue of Ketan’s hair patch has recently surfaced as a new angle in the investigation. However, police believe that this factor alone is insufficient to explain the alleged motive behind the crime.
Vishal Agarwal also dismissed the Goyal family’s claim that Ketan had proposed the trek to Lohagad Fort. According to him, it was Siya who wanted to go trekking.
Ketan, 26, died on June 18 after being persuaded by Siya to join a trek at Pune’s Lohagad Fort. Investigators allege that Siya Goyal and her boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, pushed Ketan into a 300-foot gorge and attempted to portray the incident as an accidental fall while he was taking photographs. Preliminary findings suggest the murder was planned in advance, with several earlier attempts reportedly made to kill him before the fatal incident.
Meanwhile, speaking to India Today TV on Thursday, Siya’s parents insisted that their daughter was happy about the marriage and had repeatedly confirmed her willingness to marry Ketan.
“Before finalizing the marriage, we asked Siya many times if she liked Ketan and wanted to proceed. Every time, she said yes,” her mother stated.
She further claimed there was never any sign that Siya was unwilling to marry Ketan or involved in another relationship.
According to recent interrogation details, Siya and Chetan reportedly told police that Chetan encouraged Siya to eliminate Ketan during their trip to Lohagad Fort. Earlier, police had alleged that once the trio reached the cliff edge, Siya gave a pre-decided signal, after which Chetan pushed Ketan into the gorge.
However, Siya’s family has challenged the police version, claiming that Ketan himself suggested the fort visit and that Siya was hesitant because a family event was scheduled the next day.
“Siya told me that Ketan wanted her to go trekking, but she did not wish to go and asked me to convince him not to insist. However, Ketan’s mother told her to accompany him, suggesting he might have planned a birthday surprise,” Siya’s mother, Pooja Goyal, told India Today TV.
Siya’s father, Praveen Goyal, also denied reports that there had been warning signs before the engagement. Addressing claims that Ketan had complained about Siya’s phone often being busy, he said such concerns were never brought to their attention.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Ketan’s father in Pune on Friday and agreed to the family’s requests for a fast-track trial and the appointment of noted lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor. Nikam is known for handling several high-profile terrorism and murder cases, including those related to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
