NEW DELHI: Fresh leads have emerged in the investigation into the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal, with police now examining an alleged Snapchat conversation and what investigators describe as coded exchanges between the two accused. The authenticity of the purported chat, however, is yet to be established.
Investigators believe the alleged digital conversations could help reconstruct events after Ketan’s death and determine whether attempts were made to conceal the alleged conspiracy or mislead investigators.
Alleged Snapchat conversation under scanner
According to police sources, investigators are analysing an alleged Snapchat exchange between accused Siya Goyal and one of her friends that surfaced during the probe.
Police claim Siya allegedly asked the friend to share a copy of her Aadhaar card so that a flight ticket could be booked.
According to the alleged chat, Siya wrote: “Send me your Aadhaar card to book tickets for a wedding that is never going to happen.”
Investigators are examining whether the purported ticket booking was intended to create the impression that wedding preparations were continuing despite the alleged murder. They are also looking into whether it formed part of a wider effort to divert suspicion.
Officials said the authenticity and evidentiary value of the alleged Snapchat conversation are still being verified.
Police claim accused communicated in coded language
According to investigators, forensic examination of deleted mobile phone data suggests that Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary exchanged coded messages after Ketan Agarwal’s alleged murder.
Police suspect the communication was designed to conceal details of the alleged conspiracy.
Investigators allege that Siya, who was engaged to Ketan, and Chetan murdered him before attempting to destroy evidence and mislead the investigation.
Court sends accused to judicial custody
A local court has remanded both accused to 14 days of judicial custody while declining the police’s request for three more days of custodial interrogation.
The investigating agency had argued that further custody was necessary to question the two accused together, decode the alleged conversations, establish motive and determine their respective roles in the case.
Investigating Officer Manoj Pawar informed the court that a panchnama had been conducted at the spot where Siya was suspected of tearing Ketan’s passport. Police also seized her clothes as part of the investigation.
The officer further stated that examination of Siya’s second mobile phone revealed what investigators described as coded conversations.
Narco test plea does not proceed
During the hearing, the issue of conducting narco analysis on the accused also came up.
The court observed that such a test cannot be carried out without the consent of the accused. Since both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary declined to undergo the procedure, permission for the test was not granted.
The prosecution also told the court that it did not consider a narco analysis necessary at this stage.
The investigation is continuing. - The Statesman/ANN
