Pune, Maharashtra – A significant dispute has emerged in the ongoing Ketan Agarwal murder investigation, with prime accused Siya Goyal and her family vehemently denying any appointment of advocate Aashutosh Srivastava as their legal counsel. The controversy surfaced as the Vadgaon Maval court in Pune extended the police custody of Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary by four days until July 3.
The confusion reached a critical point within the courtroom when two advocates, Vipul Dushing and Aashutosh Srivastava, both claimed to represent Siya Goyal. However, the accused herself clarified the situation for the court, stating that Advocate Dushing was her chosen legal representative.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Siya Goyal’s brother, Sahil Goyal, stated to reporters gathered outside the court that the family had never engaged advocate Srivastava. “We have never engaged him, and he is not someone appointed by us. Whatever he is claiming, I have no knowledge of it,” Sahil Goyal stated.
The uncertainty surrounding Srivastava’s role had been escalating since Sunday, when he began addressing the media in the capacity of Siya Goyal’s legal counsel. On Monday, both Srivastava and advocate Vipul Dushing appeared before the court and presented arguments on Goyal’s behalf during a hearing that lasted approximately 40 minutes. Advocate Dushing asserted, “We are the ones representing Siya in this matter. The case is still at a very early stage, and there are no specific expectations at this point.”
The discrepancy was evident throughout the initial stages of the court proceedings. It was only towards the end of the arguments that Siya Goyal herself informed the court that Advocate Dushing, and not Srivastava, was her appointed counsel. This clarification came after advocate Priyanka Baradkar, identifying herself as junior counsel to Srivastava, had also appeared at the Lonavala Police Station prior to the court session.
Sahil Goyal further alleged that advocate Srivastava may have obtained Siya Goyal’s signature through deceit, though he did not provide specific details regarding the circumstances. The family has reportedly filed an affidavit in court addressing the matter and has accused Srivastava of issuing threats. This alleged deception occurred despite Srivastava’s previous media appearances where he publicly defended Siya Goyal, questioning the admissibility of any confession made during police custody under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
The Ketan Agarwal murder case involves the death of a Pune-based realtor, who allegedly died after being pushed from Lohagad Fort. Siya Goyal and her boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, have been arrested in connection with the case. Police investigators claim that Goyal conspired to kill Agarwal, her fiancé, as she did not wish to marry him and feared that calling off the wedding would bring disrepute to her family.
The investigation into Agarwal’s death began with the police initially registering it as an accidental death. However, the case was later converted into a murder investigation following the discovery of angles suggesting a conspiracy. Srivastava, in his previous media interactions, had argued that there was no eyewitness or corroborative evidence to directly link Siya Goyal to the crime, and that the prosecution bore the burden of proving guilt. He also highlighted that his client was cooperating with the investigating agency.
While the legal team representing Siya Goyal asserts a lack of direct evidence, Pune rural deputy superintendent of police Gajanan Tompe indicated that multiple investigation teams are working on various aspects of the case. These teams have reportedly gathered technical evidence and examined several witnesses, with the investigation currently ongoing. The court’s decision to extend the police custody of Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary suggests that the authorities are continuing their intensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Ketan Agarwal’s death.
Advocate Aashutosh Srivastava is a known legal practitioner in Pune, with a significant presence in criminal law and other corporate and civil matters. His professional profile indicates extensive experience in handling complex legal cases across various courts, including the Supreme Court of India and High Courts. However, this current situation marks a significant dispute regarding his representation in the Ketan Agarwal murder case.
The Chenab Times News Desk