Siya Goyal's 'lawyer' sues her brother for Rs 10 crore over defamation

Siya Goyal’s “lawyer,” Advocate Aashutosh Srivastava, has taken a dramatic step by filing a defamation lawsuit against her brother, Sahil Goyal, demanding Rs 10 crore in damages. This legal battle adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious murder case involving real estate magnate Ketan Agarwal, whose killing remains unsolved. According to reports from India Today, Srivastava alleges that Sahil made false and defamatory remarks about his involvement in representing Siya, suggesting that he used deception to secure her legal documents. These accusations stem from an interview Sahil gave to India Today TV, in which he denied that the Goyal family had hired Srivastava and implied that the lawyer might have manipulated Siya into signing legal papers.

The situation escalated in court when Srivastava appeared before the Vadgaon Maval court, presenting a vakalatnama—legal authorization—to claim representation of Siya. However, Siya herself contradicted this assertion, stating that her actual lawyer was Vipul Dushing, and that her family had officially appointed him. This discrepancy has led to confusion and conflict between the two parties. Sahil Goyal, meanwhile, has publicly challenged Srivastava’s legitimacy, arguing that the lawyer was not authorized by the family and that he may have coerced Siya into signing documents under false pretenses. He also alleged that Srivastava had threatened the family, adding to the tension surrounding the case.

Srivastava’s legal notice outlines specific demands: that Sahil retract his allegations, issue a public apology, and guarantee that he will not make similar claims in the future. In a statement, Srivastava defended his actions, asserting that his team had approached Siya directly and that she had willingly authorized their representation. He emphasized that Siya was an adult capable of making independent decisions and that the vakalatnama she signed was valid and legally binding. Despite these claims, Sahil has not yet responded publicly to the notice, leaving the matter unresolved.

The broader implications of this dispute extend beyond the courtroom. Police continue to investigate the murder of Ketan Agarwal, focusing on identifying the location from which he was allegedly pushed to his death. They have noted that Siya and another suspect, Chaudhary, previously visited Lohagad Fort, which appears to be central to the case. Investigators are also working to recover deleted digital evidence, cross-check the sequence of events with Chaudhary, and trace individuals who may have interacted with the suspects at the site. Additionally, efforts are underway to locate Agarwal’s missing passport, which Siya reportedly discarded during a recent trip.

This ongoing investigation highlights the high stakes involved in the case, both for the victims’ families and for those implicated. Meanwhile, the legal battles among the Goyals underscore the emotional and personal toll of the crime. As the case unfolds, the legal and investigative processes remain intertwined, each influencing the other in ways that could shape the outcome significantly. With multiple layers of conflict emerging, the path forward for all parties remains uncertain.