A court in Vadgaon Maval on Saturday rejected the Pune Rural Police’s request for an extension of police custody for the two accused in the murder of 25-year-old realtor Ketan Agarwal.
Judicial Magistrate First Class A.M. Vibhute remanded Siya Goyal and her alleged partner, Chetan Chaudhary, to 14 days of judicial custody until July 16 after their police custody ended.
The prosecution had requested an additional three days of police custody, saying investigators needed more time to examine digital evidence recovered from the accused’s mobile phones.
Police told the court that the pair allegedly used coded language, nicknames and symbols while communicating. Investigators argued that further questioning was needed to decode the conversations and establish the alleged conspiracy.
Defence opposed request
The defence argued that the police had already been given enough time to investigate the case and had failed to provide a valid reason for extending police custody.
After hearing both sides, the court rejected the prosecution’s request and ordered that both accused remain in judicial custody until July 16.
Defence may seek bail
Advocate Vipul Singh, who is representing Siya Goyal, said the court was not convinced that further police custody was necessary.
He said the investigating agency had already received sufficient time for questioning and had failed to justify any further custodial interrogation.
With the accused now in judicial custody, the defence is legally entitled to file a bail application before the appropriate court.
Investigation continues
Earlier on Friday, investigators took Siya Goyal to a hill in Lullanagar, where police claim she and Chetan Chaudhary had rehearsed the murder before allegedly pushing Ketan Agarwal off a cliff at Lohagad Fort on June 18.
Police have also questioned a man believed to be a former classmate of Chaudhary. Investigators suspect he may have had prior knowledge of the alleged murder plot. According to police, he was invited to Lohagad on the day of the incident but did not accompany the accused. He is also said to have advised them not to carry out the alleged crime.
Digital and forensic evidence under examination
The investigation is continuing with the help of digital and forensic evidence, including CCTV footage, mobile phone records and the “last seen together” theory.
Police are also examining material seized during a search of Goyal’s residence in Pune’s Market Yard area as part of the ongoing investigation.
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