Magistrate Orders Police Custody for Accused in Lohagad Fort Murder
A magistrate court situated near Pune has ordered a seven-day police custody for Siya Goyal and her alleged accomplice Chetan Chaudhary. They are accused in the murder case of 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal, Goyal’s fiancée. The judicial magistrate from the Wadgaon Mawal region issued the remand order on June 23 following a request from local law enforcement for further investigation.
Case Background: From Accidental Fall to Murder Allegation
The incident revolves around the death of Ketan Agarwal, which occurred near Lohagad Fort, close to Lonavla in Maharashtra. Originally deemed an accidental fall, the case escalated into a murder investigation. According to the police, Agarwal died on June 18 after allegedly falling into a 350-foot deep valley during a trek to Lohagad with Goyal and other friends. The couple was reportedly planning to marry later this year.
However, five days post-incident, law enforcement officials asserted that Agarwal’s death was a premeditated act, orchestrated by his fiancée, Siya Goyal, in collaboration with Chetan Chaudhary. Consequently, the police have charged the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and criminal conspiracy.
Legal Proceedings and Arguments
Following their arrest on June 23, Goyal and Chaudhary were brought before the magistrate court for a remand hearing. Advocate Ram Shahane, representing Chaudhary, contended that the case was initially recorded as an accidental death. It was only after approximately ten days that the charges of murder and conspiracy were introduced, he argued, suggesting that the arrests were based on mere suspicion.
On the other hand, the prosecution, led by Superintendent of Pune Rural Sandeep Gill, argued that the investigation is still in its early stages. They emphasized that there is yet to be any substantial evidence presented in court.
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Court’s Decision
After evaluating the submissions from both defense and prosecution, the court ruled in favor of granting a seven-day police custody for both accused. Consequently, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary will remain in police custody until June 29 as the investigation continues.
