Pune, June 26 (IANS) Ketan Agarwal’s father, Vishal Agarwal, on Friday claimed that his son’s fiancee and murder accused Siya Goyal and her family were already aware that he used a hair patch, and maintained that it could not be a reason for murder.

Ketan Agarwal was allegedly murdered at Lohagad Fort near Pune, purportedly by his Goyal and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary.

Addressing reporters, Vishal Agarwal said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured him that the case will be fast-tracked.

Maintaining that he has full faith in the judicial system, the victim’s father said: “CM Fadnavis has assured me that he will personally look into the case, it will be fast-tracked, and the guilty will be brought to justice at the earliest.”

“I have demanded the death penalty for the accused,” he added.

On questions whether a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will lead the case, he replied: “I have learnt that an SIT has already been framed for probing the case.”

Amidst reports of Ketan using a hair patch, his father said: “Ketan used a small hair patch, but that was already informed to them (Siya and her family). But is that a reason to kill someone’s child? If she didn’t like him, then she could have easily refused.”

Responding to claims that the idea of trekking was that of Ketan’s and not of Siya’s, Vishal Agarwal said: “That will be cleared once the investigation is complete. According to my knowledge, Siya wanted to go trekking.”

“I did not know about Siya’s drinking habits nor about her friendship with Chetan Chaudhary.”

Meanwhile, the parents of the prime accused, Siya, have expressed shock over the incident, extended condolences to the victim’s family and said that anyone found guilty in the case, including their daughter, should face the strictest punishment.

Siya’s father, Praveen Goyal, expressed grief over the death of the young man and said the loss was unimaginable for Ketan’s family.

Her mother, Pooja Goyal, also expressed shock over the incident and said justice should prevail irrespective of who is found responsible.

Pooja Goyal said: “When I heard about this incident, I was deeply shocked. I kept wondering how something like this could have happened. The grief Ketan’s family is experiencing today is immense, but I feel even greater pain because two families have been devastated. Ketan was such a good person. If anyone is found guilty in this case, they should receive the strictest possible punishment, even if it is my daughter.”

–IANS

cg/vd