Police in New Delhi are pursuing fresh investigative angles in the case of Ketan Agarwal's alleged murder, with digital forensics now taking centre stage. Authorities have identified what they believe are significant clues embedded within alleged Snapchat conversations and encrypted exchanges between the two accused, though determining the authenticity and admissibility of this evidence remains an ongoing challenge. The investigators contend that these digital communications, once properly verified, may illuminate the critical period immediately following Agarwal's death and reveal whether concerted efforts were made to obstruct the investigation or manufacture false leads.
At the heart of the developing inquiry is an alleged exchange on Snapchat between one of the accused, Siya Goyal, and an acquaintance. Police sources claim Goyal requested that her contact provide a copy of an Aadhaar identification card ostensibly for booking airline tickets. The phrasing of the alleged message—"Send me your Aadhaar card to book tickets for a wedding that is never going to happen"—has caught investigators' attention. The apparent reference to a wedding that would not proceed raises questions about whether this was a deliberate attempt to create the illusion of continued wedding preparations as a smokescreen while the alleged crime was being concealed.
The investigators' interpretation of this exchange reflects a particular theory: that the individuals involved sought to maintain normal appearances and divert suspicion by suggesting routine event planning was underway, all the while attempting to cover their tracks. Whether the ticket booking actually occurred, or was merely proposed as part of a larger deception strategy, has become a focal point of scrutiny. Forensic experts are currently working to establish whether any actual transactions took place and what the intended destinations or purposes might have been. The court, however, has cautioned that officials must verify the chat's authenticity before it can carry evidentiary weight.
Parallel to the Snapchat analysis, police forensic teams have been examining data recovered from the mobile phones of both accused individuals. According to investigating officer Manoj Pawar, the examination of Siya Goyal's secondary device has yielded what authorities describe as encrypted or coded conversations between her and her co-accused, Chetan Chaudhary. These messages are now being deciphered and analysed to determine whether they contain references to the alleged murder, discussions about destroying evidence, or plans to mislead investigators. The very fact that such coded language was apparently employed suggests a level of deliberation and coordination that prosecutors will attempt to emphasise at trial.
Goyal, who was engaged to the deceased Agarwal, and Chaudhary stand accused of his murder. According to police allegations, the two conspired to kill Agarwal, subsequently attempted to destroy evidence of the crime, and endeavoured to obstruct the investigation. Police have also alleged that Goyal tore up Agarwal's passport in an apparent effort to prevent him from being identified or to complicate investigative procedures. A panchnama, the formal procedural record of such actions, was conducted at the location where this alleged destruction occurred. Investigators additionally seized clothing belonging to Goyal as potential forensic evidence.
The investigation reached a critical juncture when the accused appeared before a local court for remand proceedings. The police sought an extension of their custodial interrogation period by three additional days, arguing that more time was essential to question both accused together, to decode their alleged communications, to establish motive, and to clarify the respective roles each played in the alleged crime. The court, however, declined this request and instead remanded both individuals to 14 days of judicial custody—a decision that reflects the judge's assessment that sufficient grounds existed to detain them pending trial, while the police's request for further direct interrogation lacked sufficient justification at that stage.
During the remand hearing, a secondary issue arose regarding the potential use of narco analysis—a controversial investigative technique in which truth-serum drugs are administered to attempt to extract confessions or information. The prosecution broached the possibility of conducting such a test on both accused. However, the court emphasised that narco analysis cannot be legally conducted without the explicit consent of the individual subject to the procedure. Both Goyal and Chaudhary declined to submit to the test, effectively foreclosing that investigative avenue. The prosecution subsequently indicated that it did not regard narco analysis as necessary at the current stage of the inquiry, suggesting confidence that the existing evidence and ongoing forensic analysis would be adequate.
For Malaysian observers and regional audiences, this case illustrates the evolving role of digital forensics in serious criminal investigations across South Asia. As mobile phones and messaging applications become ubiquitous, law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on recovered data, metadata, and communication patterns to reconstruct events and establish motive and intent. Yet the evidentiary value of such materials remains contested in courts, with judges correctly insisting on proper verification and authentication before admitting digital evidence. The case also highlights how accused individuals may employ coded language, deliberately vague phrasing, or false narratives—such as the suspicious wedding ticket booking—in attempts to disguise criminal activity.
The broader investigative challenge underscores why police seek extended custodial interrogation periods: to confront accused individuals with emerging evidence, to probe inconsistencies in their accounts, and to clarify the coordination and communication patterns that allegedly facilitated the alleged crime. The court's decision to grant judicial custody while declining extended police custody reflects a judicial determination that the case had reached a stage where further interrogation should proceed under court supervision rather than in police lock-ups. As the investigation continues, the focus will remain on decrypting those coded messages and establishing whether the digital evidence corroborates the prosecution's theory of premeditated murder and subsequent obstruction.
