A fresh legal dispute has emerged in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, with two lawyers claiming they represent the main accused, Siya Goyal. The disagreement has now led to a Rs 10-crore defamation notice against Siya’s brother, Sahil Goyal.
During a hearing in the Vadagaon Maval court, Siya reportedly told the court that advocate Vipul Dushing was representing her and that Aashuutosh Srivastava was not her lawyer. Her brother Sahil also maintained that the family had appointed Dushing to handle the case.
However, Pune-based advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava has insisted that Siya herself signed a vakalatnama authorising him to appear for her. He said the appointment was made directly by Siya, who is an adult, and did not require approval from her family.
Rs 10-crore defamation notice
Following Sahil’s public statements, Srivastava sent him a 10-page legal notice seeking Rs 10 crore in damages. He claimed the remarks damaged his professional reputation, caused mental stress, affected client confidence and created a hostile public image.
The notice demands that Sahil withdraw the statements made in the media, remove related videos and posts from YouTube, social media platforms, WhatsApp groups and news portals, issue a public apology within 48 hours, pay Rs 10 crore within seven days and give a written assurance that such statements will not be repeated.
Murder investigation continues
Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary are accused of pushing Siya’s fiancé, Ketan Agarwal, off a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune on 18th June. On Monday, 29th June, the court extended their police custody by five days.
Police told the court they need to recreate the crime scene and continue the investigation. Investigators also said Siya tore and burnt Ketan’s passport and that efforts are on to recover its remains. They are also tracing Chetan’s movements after he changed his clothes and examining phone conversations between the two after the incident.
