If you were at Lohagad that day, please come forward: Ketan's dad appeals for help

Ketan Agarwal's father urged people who were at Lohagad Fort on June 18 to come forward and help the police investigation. The appeal came as investigators questioned Siya Goyal's family and examined digital evidence in the widening case.

In Short

• Siya Goyal's parents faced hours of questioning by Lonavala Rural Police
• Her brother Sahil Goyal had reportedly undergone nearly ten hours interrogation
• Police said Siya's mother denied forcing her daughter to marry Ketan

Making an emotional appeal while participating in a candlelight march seeking justice for his son, Ketan Agarwal's father, on Saturday, urged people who were present at Lohagad Fort on June 18 — the day Ketan was allegedly pushed off a cliff by his fiance Siya Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary — to come forward and assist the investigation.

Addressing residents, family members and friends gathered at Belmondo Society in Gahunje on the outskirts of Pune, Vishal Agarwal said several people had witnessed the incident surrounding it at the fort but had not yet approached the police.

"Some people are messaging us, saying they were present at the fort, but they are not approaching the police. I urge all of them to come forward and help us get justice for Ketan. I assure them they will not face any problems," he said during the candlelight march, which was joined by Ketan's family members, friends and residents of the Belmondo Society seeking justice.

The appeal came even as Pune Rural Police continued questioning Siya Goyal's family members. Her parents, Praveen Goyal and Pooja Goyal, were questioned for several hours by Lonavala Rural Police on Saturday, a day after her brother Sahil Goyal reportedly underwent nearly 10 hours of interrogation.

According to police sources, during questioning, Siya's mother denied allegations that the family had pressured her daughter into marrying Ketan.

"We did not put any kind of pressure on Siya to marry Ketan," she reportedly told investigators.

The questioning is part of the widening probe into the murder case that has shocked Pune. Siya Goyal, 20, and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary, 22, have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to kill Ketan, 25, by pushing him off a cliff at Lohagad Fort. Police claim the couple planned the murder because Siya did not want to go ahead with her scheduled marriage to Ketan in November.

As the investigation progressed, grief and anger were on full display at Saturday's march.

"We have been betrayed by our own people, whom we had known for several years," said Ketan's grandfather, Devichand Agarwal, his voice breaking with emotion.

Demanding strict punishment for those responsible, he said the family wanted the police to investigate everyone involved in arranging the marriage.

"We want the police to investigate everyone responsible for this wedding. These two accused, Siya and Chetan, should be awarded capital punishment," he said while breaking down.

Ketan's mother also sought justice for her son, demanding capital punishment for the accused duo and action against Siya's family members.

Another family member questioned why objections to the marriage were never raised earlier.

"When Siya's entire family came to discuss the wedding, they were told everything about Ketan. Nothing was hidden from them. If she had any issues, why didn't she say so? She spent time with him, went out with him and continued the relationship. If she did not want to marry him, she could have simply said no from the beginning. We only want justice for our child and our family," the relative said.

Meanwhile, investigators are examining the role of all those connected to the case. Deputy Superintendent of Police Gajanan Tompe said the investigation had found that Siya and Chetan exchanged signals before Ketan was allegedly pushed from the fort. Police have also seized Chetan Chaudhary's mobile phone and plan to send it for forensic analysis to determine whether any chats or digital evidence were deleted.

Authorities have ruled out reports suggesting the use of a wig as part of the conspiracy.

Ketan's family said they would continue their fight for justice, while thanking Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for assuring a speedy trial and appointing senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as public prosecutor in the case.

- Ends