Ketan Agarwal murder: Ujjwal Nikam appointed special prosecutor by Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has deployed one of India's most formidable criminal prosecutors — Ujjwal Nikam, the lawyer who secured convictions in the 2008 Mumbai attacks — to the Lohagad Fort murder case, in which a 25-year-old was allegedly pushed to his death by his fiancee and her lover. The move signals the state's intent to fast-track justice and secure maximum punishment.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis appointed Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor in the Ketan Agarwal murder case on 26 June .
The case will be referred to a fast-track court , following a demand by Ketan's father Vishal Agarwal .
Ketan Agarwal (25) was allegedly pushed off a cliff at Lohagad Fort, Pune on 18 June .
Accused are his fiancee Siya Goyal (20) and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary (22) , who police say conspired to eliminate him.
Nikam previously served as prosecutor in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and 1993 Bombay bombings cases, securing stringent punishments in both.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 26 June appointed senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, in which the 25-year-old was allegedly pushed to his death from Lohagad Fort in Pune district on 18 June. The decision came after Ketan's father, Vishal Agarwal, met the Chief Minister in Pune and sought justice for his son.
Key Developments
Fadnavis accepted the family's demand to refer the case to a fast-track court and approved Nikam's appointment as special public prosecutor, according to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The Chief Minister has directed the secretary of the Law and Judiciary Department to initiate the formal appointment process. Nikam has conveyed his consent to appear in the case, the statement confirmed.
Who Is Ujjwal Nikam
Nikam is one of India's most prominent criminal lawyers, best known as the government prosecutor who secured stringent convictions in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 1993 Bombay serial bombings. His appointment signals the Maharashtra government's intent to pursue the maximum possible punishment in the case. He currently serves as a Rajya Sabha MP.
What Happened at Lohagad Fort
According to police, Ketan's fiancee Siya Goyal (20) and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary (22) are accused of pushing Ketan off a cliff at Lohagad Fort, located in Maval taluka of Pune district, on 18 June. Ketan and Siya were reportedly engaged and scheduled to marry in November. Police allege that Siya did not wish to go through with the marriage and that she and Chetan conspired to eliminate Ketan.
Government's Assurance to the Family
During his meeting with Vishal Agarwal, Fadnavis assured the family that the government was committed to ensuring the accused receive stringent punishment and that no effort would be spared in securing justice. The CMO statement underlined that both the fast-track court referral and the appointment of a high-profile special prosecutor reflect the government's resolve to bring the case to a swift and decisive conclusion.
With Nikam on board and the case headed to a fast-track court, the legal proceedings in the Lohagad Fort murder are expected to move significantly faster than a routine sessions trial.
Point of View
And the real test will be whether the prosecution can build an airtight conspiracy case, given that the accused are young and the evidence is largely circumstantial at this stage. The optics of a CM personally receiving the victim's father and announcing a high-profile prosecutor within days of the crime suggest the case has attracted significant political attention — which can cut both ways for the integrity of proceedings.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ujjwal Nikam and why was he appointed in the Ketan Agarwal case?
Ujjwal Nikam is a senior criminal advocate and Rajya Sabha MP, best known for securing convictions in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and 1993 Bombay serial bombings cases. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis appointed him as special public prosecutor in the Ketan Agarwal murder case to signal the government's commitment to securing stringent punishment for the accused.
What happened to Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort?
Ketan Agarwal (25) was allegedly pushed off a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Maval taluka, Pune district, on 18 June. Police allege his fiancee Siya Goyal (20) and her lover Chetan Chaudhary (22) conspired to kill him because Siya did not wish to go through with their planned November wedding.
Will the Ketan Agarwal murder case be heard in a fast-track court?
Yes. CM Fadnavis accepted the demand of Ketan's father Vishal Agarwal to refer the case to a fast-track court, alongside appointing Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor. The Law and Judiciary Department secretary has been directed to initiate the formal process.
Who are the accused in the Lohagad Fort murder case?
The two accused are Siya Goyal (20), Ketan's fiancee, and Chetan Chaudhary (22), described by police as her lover. Both are alleged to have hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Ketan and pushed him off the cliff at Lohagad Fort on 18 June.
What assurance did CM Fadnavis give to Ketan's family?
During a meeting in Pune, CM Devendra Fadnavis assured Ketan's father Vishal Agarwal that the government would ensure the accused receive stringent punishment and that every effort would be made to secure justice, according to an official CMO statement.
