Ketan Agarwal case mystery deepens as new twist emerges from Beed; Siya, Chetan refuse polygraph

Beed youth questioned as probe widens

The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal has entered a new phase, with police questioning a youth from Maharashtra's Beed district after uncovering evidence suggesting he may have been aware of the alleged murder plot before it was carried out.

According to investigators, the youth is a former classmate of co-accused Chetan Chaudhary and was allegedly in regular contact with him in the weeks leading up to Ketan's death. Police suspect that Siya Goyal and Chetan discussed their alleged plan with him and even invited him to accompany them to Lohagad Fort on June 18, the day Ketan died after falling into a gorge.

The youth has reportedly claimed that he declined the invitation and advised the duo against carrying out any such act. Police are now verifying his statement through call records, digital chats and other electronic evidence.

Court rejects plea for polygraph tests

In another significant development, a Pune court rejected the prosecution's request to conduct polygraph (lie detector) tests on Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary after both accused declined to consent to the examinations.

Since Indian law requires the voluntary consent of an accused for a polygraph test, the court refused the investigating agency's application. Instead, the court remanded both accused to 14 days of judicial custody after declining the police's plea for extended custodial interrogation.

Investigation focuses on digital evidence

Investigators are now placing greater emphasis on forensic and digital evidence as they attempt to reconstruct the alleged conspiracy.

Police are analysing mobile phone data, encrypted chats, call detail records and other electronic communications exchanged between the accused. Authorities believe these records could provide crucial insights into the planning, motive and possible involvement of additional individuals in the case. Reports suggest investigators are also attempting to decode messages containing codewords, nicknames and emojis recovered from seized devices.

Case that shocked Maharashtra

Ketan Agarwal died after falling from a cliff at Lohagad Fort near Lonavala during a trek with his fiancée, Siya Goyal. The incident was initially treated as an accidental death, but the investigation later took a dramatic turn after police alleged that the fall was part of a premeditated murder conspiracy involving Goyal and her alleged boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary. Both have denied wrongdoing, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Probe continues

With the emergence of the Beed connection and the refusal of the accused to undergo polygraph tests, investigators are expected to rely heavily on forensic findings and digital evidence to establish the sequence of events.

Police have indicated that the questioning of the Beed youth is part of efforts to determine whether anyone else had prior knowledge of the alleged conspiracy or played a role in its planning. As the probe progresses, authorities are continuing to examine all available evidence before filing a comprehensive chargesheet.