Daijiworld Media Network - Pune
Pune, Jun 26: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday described the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort as a deeply disturbing incident and urged society to examine why an increasing number of educated young people are developing what he termed a "vengeful and distorted mindset."
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Pune, Fadnavis said the case was not merely a criminal offence but also reflected a larger social concern that requires urgent attention.
"This is an extremely shocking and incomprehensible incident. As a society, we need to introspect on why educated youth from good families are developing such a vengeful and distorted mindset," the Chief Minister said.
He stressed that society must collectively work towards creating an environment that discourages hatred and revenge-driven behaviour among young people.
"I believe this is not just a crime but also a social issue that needs serious consideration. We need a strong social framework to ensure such tendencies and distorted thinking do not develop among young boys and girls. This incident is tragic, serious and shakes the conscience of society," he added.
During his visit, Ketan Agarwal's father, Vishal Agarwal, met the Chief Minister at Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch and sought a speedy trial in the case. He requested that the matter be transferred to a fast-track court to ensure an early conclusion of the proceedings and demanded the strictest punishment for those found guilty.
Meanwhile, Siya Goyal's lawyer, Ashutosh Srivastava, confirmed that his client had signed the vakalatnama, which would be filed before the court at the earliest opportunity.
Speaking about the accused's family, Srivastava said there had been no detailed discussions with them as they were already facing emotional distress. He noted that Siya's father is currently hospitalised and said he did not wish to trouble the family under the circumstances.
The advocate also stated that Siya Goyal has been cooperating with the investigating agency throughout the probe.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Pune Rural Police are preparing to recreate the crime scene at Lohagad Fort. Investigators believe the exercise will help establish the sequence of events leading to Ketan Agarwal's death and verify the statements made by the accused during questioning.