What began as an arranged marriage proposal has evolved into a high-profile murder investigation in Pune, with police alleging that the motive behind the crime was neither financial gain nor personal revenge, but a desire to postpone marriage.
According to investigators, Siya Goyal allegedly told police that she did not wish to marry realtor Ketan Agarwal and believed that his death would allow her several more years before facing pressure to marry. Police also suspect that her boyfriend and co-accused, Chetan Chaudhary, similarly wanted to delay marriage for another two to three years.
Investigators allege that rather than ending the arranged marriage and dealing with the potential social consequences, the two conspired to remove Ketan from the equation altogether.
As the investigation progressed, police uncovered what they believe was a romantic relationship between Siya and Chetan that existed before Siya’s engagement to Ketan.
According to investigators, Siya and Chetan travelled to Udaipur with friends in January and spent five days in Rajasthan, several weeks before Siya became engaged to Ketan in February. Police believe the trip brought the two closer together. Chetan, who hails from Rajasthan, is said to have developed a stronger relationship with Siya during this period.
The investigation has also revealed that Chetan was already familiar with Siya’s family. Police say he knew her elder brother, Sahil Goyal, through cricket and that Siya first came into contact with Chetan while accompanying her brother to matches. Investigators believe the two later reconnected and developed a closer relationship.
Call records have become a significant focus of the investigation. Police claim that from January onward, Siya and Chetan exchanged 2,004 phone calls and spent a total of 238 hours speaking to each other. Investigators believe the volume and duration of these communications could provide important insights into the nature of their relationship and the alleged conspiracy.
Another element under scrutiny is a meeting that reportedly took place shortly before Ketan’s death. Police say Siya and Chetan met at a café in Pune’s Lullanagar area on June 17, one day before the murder. According to investigators, the meeting lasted for approximately an hour, from around 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Authorities are examining whether any discussion related to the alleged murder plot took place during that meeting.
The investigation has also shifted toward digital evidence after police allegedly discovered that both accused had deleted communications from their mobile devices. Forensic experts are now attempting to recover erased WhatsApp messages, Instagram conversations, and other digital records.
Investigators allege that the accused deleted conversations both before and after the crime, emptied recycle bins, and attempted to remove any electronic evidence that could connect them to the incident. Police hope that recovering the deleted data will help establish a clearer timeline of events leading up to Ketan Agarwal’s death.
As part of the broader investigation, Siya’s brother, Sahil Goyal, was questioned by police for nearly ten hours on Friday. Officials said the questioning focused on his relationship with Chetan Chaudhary and other aspects relevant to the case.
After the interrogation, Sahil was allowed to leave. Investigators are expected to question additional family members as they continue examining what they believe was a carefully planned conspiracy that culminated in the murder of Ketan Agarwal.
The allegations and findings cited by police remain part of an ongoing investigation, and the claims against the accused are yet to be tested in court.
