The Lonavala Police are set to produce prime accused Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary before the Vadgaon Court on Friday as their police remand in the Ketan Agarwal murder case draws to a close. Investigators are expected to seek both a custody extension and court permission to conduct polygraph examinations on the two accused, in what is being viewed as a pivotal hearing in the high-profile Pune case.

Key Developments in Court

The two accused are scheduled to appear before the Vadgaon Court at 3 pm on Friday. The court had initially granted seven days of police custody, which was subsequently extended by four more days to allow investigators to examine the accused on 18 key aspects of the case. In total, both Siya and Chetan have undergone intensive interrogation spanning 11 days.

The court's ruling on the remand extension and the polygraph applications will determine the immediate direction of the probe. Should the custody extension be denied, both accused are likely to be transferred to Yerwada Central Jail under judicial custody pending further investigation.

Evidence Gathered at Key Locations

On Thursday, investigators took Siya Goyal to her residence, where they seized clothes allegedly worn during the commission of the crime, a mobile phone, and documents considered relevant to the case. She was subsequently taken to a cafe in Pune's Lullanagar area, which police believe was the site where the conspiracy to murder businessman Ketan Agarwal was allegedly hatched.

At the cafe, police recorded her statement and conducted an on-site inspection to verify electronic and other evidence linked to the murder.

Polygraph Test: Consent and Contention

A critical issue before the court is the police application seeking permission to administer lie detection tests on both accused. According to sources, Siya Goyal and her counsel, Advocate Vipul Dushing, have submitted written consent agreeing to undergo the polygraph examination. However, Chetan Chaudhary and his legal counsel have not yet clearly stated their position before the court, leaving that aspect of the application unresolved.

Background: A Premeditated Crime at Lohagad Fort

Ketan Agarwal, a businessman, was allegedly pushed to his death from a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune by Siya and Chetan. The investigation has reportedly uncovered that the two accused searched online for ways to kill Agarwal before carrying out the act. According to police, they also visited the fort alone prior to the incident to allegedly 'rehearse' the murder, and had prepared and practised answers to questions they anticipated being asked if apprehended.

With the Vadgaon Court hearing due Friday, the case now enters a critical procedural phase that will shape both the scope of the investigation and the legal trajectory of the accused.