Lohgad fort murder: framing of charges deferred to November 17 as defence flags missing digital evidence

Pune: The framing of charges in the case of the murder of young businessman Ketan Agarwal at Lohgad fort has been deferred to November 17. The court took the decision after defence lawyers raised questions over access to digital evidence and case documents.

The case was heard on Saturday in the Additional District and Sessions Court at Vadgaon Maval. It was the first hearing after the filing of a 5,053-page chargesheet. The three accused, including main accused Siya Goyal, Chetan Chaudhary and Ritesh Hange, were produced through video conferencing before Additional District and Sessions Judge D K Ambule.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam appeared for the prosecution. Advocates Vipul Dushing and N M Bhalerao appeared for Siya Goyal, while Harshad Nimbalkar and Jayraj Jagtap represented Chetan Chaudhary. Ritesh Hange has not yet engaged a lawyer and sought time from the court. The court made clear that if he does not engage one by the next hearing, a lawyer will be provided to him through the Legal Services Committee.

The defence said electronic and digital evidence had not been made available to them. The lawyers argued that the police had not provided the digital documents related to the evidence, which was hampering the accused in further proceedings. Citing Section 207 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, they said the accused are entitled to copies of the documents relied upon in the case. On this basis, they sought directions for the material to be provided.

Nikam opposed the argument for the prosecution. He said the evidence concerned was being uploaded to the designated portal and that the parties who need it can view it.

During the investigation, police examined the relationship between Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary, the alleged preparations before the murder, digital evidence extracted from mobile phones, internet searches and conversation records. The chargesheet is also said to state that the accused had surveyed the Lohgad area beforehand and had rehearsed the alleged method of the murder. Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary were arrested first. Chaudhary's friend Ritesh Hange was arrested afterwards.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Nikam said the process of framing charges would take place on the next date. He said the prosecution would rely on documentary evidence and would place before the court a list of the evidence it holds. Nikam also said the accused showed neither sorrow nor any sign of remorse on their faces.