Pune fort murder: Siya’s mother seeks harshest punishment; government appoints special prosecutor

In the Ketan Agarwal murder case, the victim’s fiancée, Siya Goyal’s mother, Pooja Goyal, has demanded the harshest punishment for those found guilty, including her own daughter. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has appointed a special prosecutor to ensure a strong presentation of the police case in court.

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Pooja Goyal, mother of Siya Goyal, stated that if her daughter is found guilty, she should receive the death penalty or be pushed from the same fort from where Ketan was pushed. “The guilty should be given the death penalty or thrown from Lohagad fort,” she said. She added, “If my daughter is found guilty, she should also be hanged or pushed from the fort.”

The Maharashtra government has acted on the demands of the victim’s family. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appointed senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor for the case. Nikam has accepted the appointment. Mr. Fadnavis also directed the Secretary of the Law and Judiciary Department to establish a fast-track court for the trial.

The family of Ketan Agarwal met Mr. Fadnavis in Pune, demanding justice for their son. Ketan, a 26-year-old businessman, died after falling 400 feet into a gorge at Lohagad fort near Lonavala on June 18, 2026. Police investigations have revealed that the incident was not an accident. The police have alleged that Siya Goyal, with the help of her boyfriend, pushed Ketan into the gorge.

Pooja Goyal claimed that Siya was not willing to go to Lohagad Fort. “Ketan called Siya on a video call before going to the fort. During the call, Ketan’s mother came in, and Siya told me she did not want to go. I asked her to go because Ketan insisted. The chat record of this conversation is available,” she said.

She also stated that the Agarwal family had never previously complained that Siya drank alcohol or smoked. “They started making these allegations only after this incident. There was love between Ketan and Siya. Both families were happy about the marriage. If there was any dispute between them, I should have been informed by the Agarwal family,” she said.

Pooja Goyal said she was shocked after the incident. “The pain we feel is more than what they feel. Whoever is guilty should receive the harshest punishment,” she reiterated.

The case has drawn significant attention in Pune and across Maharashtra. The police investigation continues as the legal process prepares to begin with the appointment of the special prosecutor and the establishment of the fast-track court.