PUNE: As the investigation into realtor Ketan Agarwal’s alleged murder gathers pace, the mother of arrested accused Siya Goyal publicly distanced herself from her daughter on Thursday, saying she should face the harshest punishment if found guilty.Breaking her silence for the first time, Pooja Goyal said she could not believe her daughter was capable of such a crime but insisted that the law must take its course, even if it meant punishing her own child.Addressing reporters, Pooja Goyal said the family had wholeheartedly supported Siya’s marriage to realtor Ketan Agarwal and had never sensed that she was unhappy with the marriage.“The night before the incident, Siya and Ketan had a video call about going to Lohagad Fort, and when Ketan’s mother came on the call, Siya said she didn’t want to go on the trek… but his mother asked her to go. This is all in the chat between the two, where she says she didn’t want to go but he was convincing her otherwise…”, said Pooja Goyal.Further she added, “… If anyone is at fault in this, they should be given the harshest punishment. Even if it includes my daughter. If my daughter is found guilty, then she should be thrown”Her remarks came amid police claims that Siya allegedly conspired with her friend Chetan Chaudhary to kill Ketan after deciding she did not want to go ahead with the marriage.Siya’s father, Pravin Goyal, also sought strict action, saying no one, including his daughter, should be spared if found responsible.“Whoever did this should receive the harshest punishment. Just like the fort from which our Ketan fell, whoever is found guilty, even if it’s my own daughter, should be pushed from there…” he said.Meanwhile, Pune Rural Police have alleged that Siya did not want to marry Ketan and hatched a conspiracy with Chetan Chaudhary, whom she met at a Diwali party last year.Police claim the two remained in constant touch over several months and discussed plans to eliminate Ketan.According to the investigation, Siya allegedly first thought of killing Ketan during a visit to Lohagad Fort on May 31 after seeing him near the edge.
A fatal fall
Police also suspect she made an earlier attempt on June 14, which allegedly failed after she raised an alarm about spotting a snake and claimed any push was accidental.Ketan’s uncle, Vijay Agarwal, said the family was waiting for justice and had full faith in the legal process.“… We want justice. The search is ongoing, and we have been told it continues, but we have no further information… My son was 26, well-educated. Listening to his parents, he agreed to an arranged marriage, and he was killed. Who said what, I do not know. I only believe in our country’s law…” he said.Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary are currently in police custody till June 29 as the investigation continues.(With ANI inputs)