Pune Court Sends Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to Judicial Custody as Police Probe Deepens in Ketan Agarwal Murder Case

The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune resident Ketan Agarwal has entered a new phase after a local court on Friday sent the two accused, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary, to 14 days of judicial custody. Both have been lodged in Yerwada Central Jail after the court declined the Pune Police's request for an extension of their custodial interrogation.

The order was passed by the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in Vadgaon, which directed that both accused remain in judicial custody until July 16 while investigators continue gathering evidence.

Court Rejects Polygraph Test Without Consent

One of the key developments during Friday's hearing was the issue of a polygraph, or lie detector, test.

Although Siya Goyal's counsel had earlier indicated that she was prepared to undergo the examination, both accused later refused to give their consent before the court.

Judicial Magistrate A.M. Vibhute ruled that such tests cannot be conducted without the voluntary consent of the accused, effectively closing the possibility of a polygraph examination at this stage of the investigation.

Second Mobile Phone Recovered

Police said they have recovered another mobile phone allegedly hidden at Siya Goyal's residence during searches conducted on Friday.

The device has been seized and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed examination. Investigators believe the handset could contain crucial digital evidence related to the case.

According to police officials, forensic experts have already managed to retrieve a significant amount of deleted data from previously seized mobile phones.

Coded Conversations Under Investigation

Investigators claim the accused communicated through coded language, nicknames and emojis while allegedly discussing the murder plan.

Cyber experts are now assisting the investigation to decode these conversations and determine whether they reveal advance planning or coordination between the accused.

Police officials have not disclosed the exact contents of the recovered chats but believe the digital evidence may strengthen the prosecution's case.

Police Probe Possible Third Accomplice

The investigation has also widened to examine whether another individual had prior knowledge of the alleged conspiracy.

According to police sources, a young man from Maharashtra's Beed district, employed with a private company in Pune's Balewadi area, has been detained for questioning.

Investigators suspect he may have been informed about the alleged murder plan by either Siya Goyal or Chetan Chaudhary before the incident.

Authorities have not named the individual, and officials are reportedly considering whether he should be treated as a witness depending on the outcome of questioning.

Police Outline Alleged Timeline

According to the investigation conducted so far, police believe the alleged conspiracy unfolded over nearly three weeks.

Investigators claim that the plan was conceived on May 31, after Ketan Agarwal suggested trekking at Lohagad Fort, a destination he frequently visited.

Police allege Siya later persuaded Ketan to visit the fort and even hid his passport ahead of an overseas trip, claiming it was part of efforts to prevent alternative travel plans.

Investigators further allege that on June 14, Siya made an initial attempt to push Ketan from the fort, but he survived after grabbing hold of a tree. Police say she later explained the incident by claiming she had tried to save him from a snake.

The prosecution alleges that on June 18, Siya invited Ketan back to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of a pre-wedding photoshoot before travelling to Mahabaleshwar for her birthday celebrations.

Police claim Chetan Chaudhary followed the couple to the location and that both accused allegedly pushed Ketan from behind while he was looking towards the valley, causing his fatal fall.

Investigation Continues

Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal had become engaged on February 11 and were scheduled to marry in November 2026, according to investigators.

With fresh digital evidence under forensic examination and police exploring the possible involvement of additional individuals, the investigation remains active. Officials say further findings from the seized mobile phones and forensic analysis are expected to play a significant role as the case progresses.

The accused remain under judicial custody, while police continue collecting evidence before filing further submissions before the court.

Student-led outfit threatens indefinite Delhi sit-in from June 20 if Dharmendra Pradhan is not removed over exam irregularities.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday initiated a fresh phase of its student-led nationwide stir from Pune, demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation, which follows a sizeable rally at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 6, marks a major escalation in public dissatisfaction surrounding alleged irregularities, paper leaks, and technical glitches in national entrance and recruitment exams.

Organisers stated that the agitation will quickly expand from Pune to other major urban hubs, including Lucknow, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Hyderabad. The youth outfit has issued an ultimatum to the Centre, warning of an indefinite, peaceful sit-in at Jantar Mantar from June 20 if their demand to sack the education minister is not met.

Pune becomes the new flashpoint

The choice of Pune for kicking off the state-level rallies drew considerable student traction on Thursday morning. The city’s prominent coaching and educational hubs saw scattered student groups assembling under the CJP banner. Local authorities deployed additional police personnel around key university premises to maintain law and order, though the demonstrations remained peaceful through the afternoon.

Sonam Wangchuk lends high-profile support

In a significant boost to the movement’s visibility, prominent environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk is expected to join the Pune leg of the agitation. Organisers believe Wangchuk’s participation will broaden the appeal of the CJP Pune protest, transforming it from a youth-centric grievance cell into a larger civic movement for institutional accountability. The party has actively appealed to parents, teachers, and civil society members to join the demonstrations.

Deadlines set for Delhi escalation

Should the Union government choose to ignore the current wave of city-level agitations, the CJP plans to move its base back to the national capital. A major pan-India student convergence is being planned for June 20. "The proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar will not be a one-day affair. It will be an indefinite, peaceful sit-in until the minister steps down voluntarily or is removed," a senior volunteer associated with the campaign stated.

Deep-seated anger over exam leaks

The current friction stems from the June 6 Jantar Mantar mobilisation, which saw thousands of students from various states hitting the streets. The core grievances focus on systemic failures within national-level testing bodies. Repeated disruptions, sudden cancellations, and leaks have derailed academic calendars and left millions of aspirants stranded, severely denting public faith in the country's central educational apparatus.

Digital momentum vs ground reality

Despite garnering massive traction online—including an online petition on the party's website that secured over 800,000 signatures in days—the CJP faces distinct organizational challenges on the ground. Observers note that while the party possesses over 22 million Instagram followers, translating digital outrage into physical booth-level political capital remains a hurdle.

Unlike the structured 2011 India Against Corruption movement, the CJP currently lacks an established pan-India cadre network. Furthermore, the party's platform has expanded rapidly to include disparate issues like infrastructure, taxation, and regional crises, which critics argue might dilute its core focus on educational reform.

Genesis of the unique nomenclature

The unusual name of the party traces back to May 15, following controversial remarks attributed to a judicial bench. During a legal hearing, observations comparing certain vocal, unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" attacking the system sparked widespread online outrage.

Responding to the remarks, digital activist Abhijeet Dipke launched the 'Cockroach Janta Party' from the US on May 16 via social media platforms. What began as a symbolic, satirical protest has rapidly morphed into a coordinated pressure group capable of organizing coordinated on-ground rallies across multiple Indian states.

Pune's Kalyani Nagar Porsche crash case has once again ignited public anger after a video showing the accused minor's family celebrating went viral on social media. The clip, which appears to show family members dancing and partying, has drawn sharp criticism from the families of the two young IT engineers killed in the May 2024 accident.

The incident, which claimed the lives of Ashwini Koshta and Anish Awadhiya, continues to raise serious questions about justice, accountability, and sensitivity in high-profile cases involving influential families.

High-Speed Drunken Crash Claims Two Lives

On the night of May 19, 2024, a speeding Porsche allegedly driven by a drunk minor rammed into a motorcycle carrying two software engineers in Kalyani Nagar. The car was reportedly moving at around 200 kmph when it hit the bike, killing both riders on the spot.

Ashwini Koshta, originally from Jabalpur, and Anish Awadhiya, from Umaria, were working in Pune. Their deaths triggered widespread protests across Maharashtra and drew national attention over issues of juvenile justice and road safety.

Viral Video Fuels Fresh Controversy

The controversy resurfaced recently after the minor’s father was granted bail. A video circulating on social media shows what appears to be the accused’s family in a celebratory mood, with people dancing. The timing of the video’s surfacing has left many disturbed, especially the grieving families.

Ashwini Koshta’s father expressed deep anguish over the development. He described the family’s behaviour as “extremely insensitive” and said it mocked the pain of the victims’ families. 

“There is no shame or humanity left in that family,” he said, adding that such actions reopen the wounds of those who lost their loved ones. He demanded that the bail granted to the accused’s father be cancelled and called for stricter action from the justice system.

Accused Family Claims Video is Old

The family of the minor has rejected the allegations, stating that the viral video is not recent. According to them, the footage dates back to September 2, 2023, when they were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary at a hotel in Goa. 

They have termed the circulation of the video as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and said they will explore legal options against those responsible for leaking and spreading the private clip.

Public Anger and Questions on Influence

The case has remained in the spotlight since the beginning due to several twists, including initial attempts to influence the investigation and debates around the minor’s age and legal treatment. Many citizens have questioned whether powerful connections continue to play a role in how the case is being handled.

Local residents in Pune and relatives of the victims have demanded a speedy and transparent trial. The incident also sparked broader discussions on underage drinking, luxury car culture among the youth, and enforcement of traffic laws in the city.

Demand for Stronger Accountability

Ashwini’s father has appealed to the authorities to ensure that justice is not delayed or diluted. He emphasised that the families of the deceased have been waiting for closure for over a year now, and developments like the viral video only add to their trauma.

Meanwhile, legal experts following the case point out that while the juvenile justice framework has its protections, repeated controversies can impact public faith in the system.

The Pune Police and the court handling the matter have not issued any fresh statement on the viral video so far. The case continues to be monitored closely by both legal observers and the public.

Families Await Closure

As the matter simmers on social media and in public discourse, the core issue remains the loss of two young lives and the long wait for justice. The contrast between the grief of one family and the perceived celebrations of another has once again highlighted deep societal fault lines.

Both sides continue to present their versions, but for the families of Ashwini and Anish, the pain of that tragic night in May 2024 remains raw. The coming weeks may see further legal developments as the case progresses through the courts.

Pune Child Rape and Murder Sparks Protests, Accused Arrested

A Pune child rape and murder case in Bhor taluka triggers outrage as police arrest a 65-year-old suspect and assure swift legal action

Gruesome Crime Reported
A shocking case of rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune district has triggered widespread outrage, with police arresting a 65-year-old man accused of the crime. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon in Nasrapur village under Bhor taluka, where the child had been visiting her grandmother during summer holidays.

According to initial reports, the accused, identified as Bhimrao Kamble, allegedly lured the child while she was playing outside her grandmother’s house around 2 pm. He reportedly took her to a nearby cattle shed, where the crime was committed.

Body Found in Shed
Police said the accused attempted to conceal the crime by hiding the child’s body under a heap of cow dung inside the shed. When the child did not return home for several hours, her family began searching for her across the village.

After an extensive search, locals checked the cattle shed, where the body was discovered. The condition of the child left residents and family members in deep shock. Authorities were immediately informed, and a police team reached the spot shortly thereafter.

CCTV Leads to Arrest
During the investigation, officers scanned CCTV footage from nearby areas. In one of the clips, the accused was seen taking the child towards the shed. Based on this evidence, police detained Kamble and later placed him under arrest.

“Further interrogation is underway, and all angles are being examined,” a police official said, adding that forensic procedures are being carried out as part of the probe.

Villagers Stage Protest
The Pune child rape and murder case has sparked intense anger among villagers. Hundreds gathered near the crime scene, demanding that the accused be handed over to them. Some residents even refused to allow the removal of the child’s body until strict action was assured.

Villagers set up a sit-in near the cattle shed, and tensions escalated as crowds swelled through the evening. Senior police officials reached the spot to pacify the protesters and appealed for calm.

Highway Blocked
As protests intensified, locals blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway, causing a major traffic disruption. Commuters were stranded for hours as police attempted to clear the route and negotiate with demonstrators.

Sandeep Singh Gill assured the protesters that a chargesheet would be filed within 15 days. He also said that the investigation would be fast-tracked to ensure justice.

Legal Provisions Invoked
Police officials indicated that stringent legal provisions would be applied in the case. Under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those dealing with rape and murder of minors, the accused could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.

Additionally, provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act are likely to be invoked, further strengthening the case against the accused.

Similar Incidents Raise Concern
The Pune child rape and murder case comes amid growing concern over crimes against minors. In a separate incident in Raipur, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped during a wedding in the Tilda Nevara area on April 29. Police arrested the accused, identified as Rajkumar alias Raja Verma, following a complaint from the victim’s family.

In another case reported from Bhopal, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly lured from a park and sexually assaulted. The accused reportedly used inducements to silence the victim after the crime.

Calls for Stronger Action
These incidents have intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws and faster judicial processes in cases involving crimes against children. Residents in Pune and elsewhere have demanded stronger preventive measures and increased vigilance at the community level.

As the investigation continues, authorities say maintaining law and order remains a priority while ensuring that due legal process is followed. The case is expected to remain under close scrutiny in the coming days.