Ketan Agarwal’s father has dismissed suggestions that his son’s hair patch was a factor in the alleged murder, stating that fiancĂ©e Siya Goyal and her relatives were told about it prior to the engagement.
The comments follow ongoing police inquiries into the death of the 26-year-old Pune businessman, who authorities say was pushed from a 300-foot drop at Lohagad Fort by his fiancée and her reported partner.
Father Rejects Hair Patch Theory
Speaking to media, Vishal Agarwal confirmed his son used a small wig patch but rejected claims that this detail was hidden from Siya’s family.
“It is true that Ketan wore a small patch of wig. Siya and her family had been informed about it before the engagement. If she had any issues, she should have said no. What was the need to kill my son?” he said.
The hair patch has been discussed as one possible motive, though police have stated it does not fully account for events leading to the incident.
Vishal Agarwal also disputed reports from Siya’s relatives that Ketan had pushed for the Lohagad Fort trek.
“As per my information, it was Siya who wanted to go on the trek,” he said.
Police Continue Probe Into Motive
Authorities allege Ketan was taken to Lohagad Fort on June 18 by Siya Goyal. They claim Siya and her boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, pushed him into the gorge and tried to make it appear as an accidental fall during photos.
Police say evidence points to a planned act, with reports of earlier attempts on Ketan’s life.
Investigators further allege that once at the cliff edge, Siya gave a signal to Chetan, who then pushed Ketan.
Siya’s Family Denies Unhappiness
Siya Goyal’s parents have rejected claims she opposed the marriage.
Her mother told India Today the family had asked Siya multiple times if she wished to marry Ketan.
“Before we fixed Siya’s marriage, we asked her repeatedly, at least ten times. We told her, ‘Siya, we are planning your marriage. Do you like Ketan? Do you want to go ahead with this marriage?’ Every time she told us, ‘Yes, I like Ketan’,” her mother said.
She added that Siya never mentioned reluctance or another relationship.
The family also challenged police accounts of the trek.
“Siya told me, ‘Mummy, Ketan is asking me to come for trekking, but I don’t want to go. Please ask him not to insist.’ But Ketan’s mother told her, ‘If Ketan is asking you to come, then go. He may have planned a birthday surprise for you’,” Pooja Goyal told India Today TV.
Siya’s father, Praveen Goyal, rejected reports of prior concerns, saying claims about Ketan’s worries over Siya’s phone were never shared with them.
Chief Minister Pledges Fast-Track Trial
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Ketan Agarwal’s father in Pune on Friday.
The family said the Chief Minister approved their request for a fast-track trial and named senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor.
Nikam has handled major terror and murder cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks prosecution.
