IBNS-CMEDIA: The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal has taken a fresh turn, with police probing claims that the prime accused, Siya Goyal, had secretly married her boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, months before her engagement to the victim, NDTV reported, quoting sources.
Pune Rural Police are reportedly verifying whether Goyal, 20, and Chaudhary solemnised their marriage under the Special Marriage Act at a local registrar’s office around four months ago.
If confirmed, the alleged marriage could become a significant aspect of the investigation, as Goyal had become engaged to Agarwal, 25, in February, with their wedding scheduled for November.
Police verify marriage certificate
Investigators are examining records to determine whether a marriage certificate was issued under the Special Marriage Act, which would establish if the couple had legally married before Goyal’s engagement to Agarwal.
Police are also questioning two of Goyal’s college friends who allegedly signed as witnesses to the purported marriage, sources said.
In addition, technical teams are attempting to recover deleted photographs from a private Instagram account that reportedly showed Goyal and Chaudhary wearing wedding garlands.
Probe focuses on alleged conspiracy
According to investigators, the alleged murder plot may have been hastened after Agarwal’s family sought Goyal’s documents to complete arrangements for their planned destination wedding in Udaipur.
Police are also scrutinising Chaudhary’s bank records to determine whether any payments were made to a middleman to allegedly bypass the mandatory public notice required under the Special Marriage Act.
Authorities have not officially confirmed these claims, and the investigation is continuing.
Both accused in judicial custody
Goyal and Chaudhary remain in judicial custody in connection with the case.
According to police, Agarwal met Goyal through family matchmakers and the two got engaged in February. Their families had reportedly booked a hotel in Udaipur for their wedding later this year.
Investigators allege that on June 18, Agarwal was pushed to his death from a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune district as part of a premeditated conspiracy.
Police claim Chaudhary followed Goyal and Agarwal to the fort to execute the alleged murder plan.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are continuing to examine digital evidence, financial records and witness statements to establish the sequence of events.
