Siya Goyal vs Her Lawyer: ₹10 Crore Defamation Notice to Brother Sparks Fresh Twist in Ketan Agarwal Murder Case

The high-profile Ketan Agarwal murder case has witnessed a fresh twist, with a legal dispute emerging over who is officially representing prime accused Siya Goyal.

Advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava has issued a ₹10 crore defamation notice to Sahil Goyal, Siya's brother, accusing him of making false and defamatory statements questioning his authority to appear on behalf of the accused. The latest development has added another layer of complexity to an already closely watched criminal investigation.

Why the Defamation Notice Was Sent

The controversy began after Sahil Goyal publicly claimed that neither he nor his family had appointed Aashuutosh Srivastava to defend Siya Goyal.

Sahil further alleged that the family had already informed the court about the matter and questioned how the advocate had come to represent his sister. His remarks prompted Srivastava to send a legal notice seeking ₹10 crore in damages, alleging that the statements had harmed his professional reputation. The notice also demands that Sahil withdraw the remarks, issue a public apology and refrain from making similar allegations in the future.

Lawyer Claims Valid Appointment

Srivastava has maintained that he was lawfully appointed by Siya Goyal herself and that she executed a valid vakalatnama authorising him to represent her before the court.

According to the advocate, an accused person is legally entitled to appoint counsel of their own choice, irrespective of whether family members approve of that decision. He has rejected allegations that his appearance in the case was unauthorised.

Family Rejects the Claim

On the other hand, Sahil Goyal has reiterated that the family does not recognise Srivastava as Siya's lawyer and has instead identified advocate Vipul Dushing as the person representing her.

The family has also alleged that Srivastava's claims are unauthorised and has distanced itself from his public statements regarding the case.

About the Ketan Agarwal Case

Siya Goyal is one of the prime accused in the alleged murder of her fiancé, Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal.

Police allege that she, along with co-accused Chetan Chaudhary, conspired to kill Agarwal by pushing him off a cliff at Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18. Both accused remain under investigation, and the allegations against them are yet to be tested during trial. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Legal Battle Overshadows Investigation

The dispute over Siya Goyal's legal representation has now become a separate controversy from the murder investigation itself.

Legal experts note that while an accused has the right to appoint a lawyer independently, disagreements over representation can complicate proceedings, particularly when conflicting claims emerge from family members and legal counsel.

As the murder investigation continues, the defamation dispute is expected to proceed on its own legal track, potentially leading to further courtroom proceedings in the coming weeks.