Ujjwal Nikam appointed Special PP in Ketan Agarwal murder case, CM Fadnavis acts in 2 days
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis moved within 48 hours to appoint 26/11 prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam as Special Public Prosecutor in the Lohagad Fort murder case — a direct response to the victim's father's appeal. With a fast-track court also assured, the Ketan Agarwal case is now set for an accelerated reckoning, and the victim's family is openly seeking the death penalty for both accused.
Key Takeaways
Vishal Agarwal , father of murdered Ketan Agarwal , publicly thanked CM Devendra Fadnavis on 17 October 2026 for acting on his appeal.
Ujjwal Nikam , who prosecuted 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab , has been appointed Special Public Prosecutor in the case.
CM Fadnavis fulfilled the appointment within two days of the father's request and assured a fast-track hearing.
The alleged murder took place at Lohagad Fort, Pune on 18 June 2026 ; a charge sheet has been filed against accused Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary .
The victim's father has expressed confidence that the accused will receive the death penalty , citing recent Meerut judgments in similar cases.
Vishal Agarwal, father of Ketan Agarwal — who was allegedly murdered by his fiancée and her purported lover at Lohagad Fort in Pune — on Saturday, 17 October 2026, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for appointing senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case. The CM also reportedly assured the bereaved father that the matter will be expedited through a fast-track court.
What the Victim's Father Said
Vishal Agarwal confirmed that his son Ketan Agarwal was murdered on 18 June 2026, following which the rural police commissionerate took up the case. He said the investigation proceeded smoothly and a charge sheet has since been filed. Speaking to reporters, Agarwal said: 'After my son was murdered on June 18, 2026, the rural police commissionerate has provided me with excellent support and handled the case well.'
He described how he subsequently petitioned the Chief Minister directly: 'I submitted a request to the Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis), asking for the appointment of Ujjwal Nikam as a Special Public Prosecutor and for the case to be handled via a fast-track process. He immediately accepted both of my requests.'
CM Fadnavis Delivers Within 48 Hours
According to Vishal Agarwal, Chief Minister Fadnavis fulfilled his commitment within two days of the appeal — appointing Nikam as Special Public Prosecutor and green-lighting the fast-track route. 'True to his word, he has appointed Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor within two days,' Agarwal said, adding that he is now confident justice will be served.
Who Is Ujjwal Nikam
Senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam is one of Maharashtra's most prominent criminal prosecutors, widely credited for building a watertight case against Mumbai 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, which ultimately led to Kasab being convicted and executed. His appointment in the Ketan Agarwal case signals the government's intent to pursue the strongest possible prosecution.
Father Seeks Death Penalty for the Accused
Vishal Agarwal stated unequivocally that he expects the court to impose the death penalty on the two accused — Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary. He drew a parallel with two recent judgments from Meerut, where courts convicted and sentenced to death two accused wives and their lovers in separate cases. 'While nothing can truly compensate the families for the brutal murder of their sons, the tireless efforts of the honourable judge, the police, and the public prosecutors have ensured that the perpetrators face the ultimate punishment,' he said.
Agarwal expressed hope that such verdicts would restore public faith in the judicial system and act as a social deterrent. 'It will serve as a deterrent for youngsters, making it clear that taking a human life is no longer an easy or consequence-free act,' he said.
With a charge sheet filed and a high-profile prosecutor now on board, all eyes turn to the fast-track court proceedings that are expected to begin shortly in the Ketan Agarwal murder case.
Point of View
The victim's father publicly declaring his expectation of a death sentence before trial has concluded raises questions about the boundary between legitimate advocacy and premature public pressure on the judiciary. Ujjwal Nikam's track record is beyond dispute, but the fast-track mechanism's effectiveness will ultimately depend on judicial bandwidth, not prosecutorial reputation alone. The parallel drawn with the Meerut convictions is emotive but legally distinct — those verdicts are products of their own evidentiary records, and comparisons risk creating trial-by-analogy pressure that courts must resist.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ujjwal Nikam and why was he appointed in the Ketan Agarwal murder case?
Ujjwal Nikam is a senior Maharashtra advocate best known for successfully prosecuting 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, leading to Kasab's conviction and execution. He was appointed Special Public Prosecutor in the Ketan Agarwal murder case following a personal appeal by the victim's father to CM Devendra Fadnavis, who acted on the request within two days.
What happened to Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort in Pune?
Ketan Agarwal was allegedly murdered at Lohagad Fort in Pune on 18 June 2026 by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her purported lover Chetan Chaudhary. A charge sheet has since been filed against both accused by the rural police commissionerate.
What has CM Devendra Fadnavis assured the victim's family?
CM Fadnavis accepted both requests made by Vishal Agarwal — the appointment of Ujjwal Nikam as Special Public Prosecutor and expedited proceedings through a fast-track court. The appointment was confirmed within two days of the father's appeal.
What penalty is the victim's father seeking for the accused?
Vishal Agarwal has publicly stated that he is fully confident Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary will be sentenced to death. He cited two recent Meerut judgments where accused wives and their lovers were convicted and awarded the death penalty in similar cases.
What is the current status of the Ketan Agarwal murder case?
As of 17 October 2026, a charge sheet has been filed, Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed Special Public Prosecutor, and the case is set to be heard through a fast-track court. Trial proceedings are expected to begin shortly.
