Punjab University prof’s daughter joins probe, joint questioning yet to be conducted

A day after the district court extended the police remand of Punjab University professor BB Goyal in his wife’s murder case, his daughter Parul has now joined the investigation.

Police officials confirmed that Parul was being questioned separately in connection with the 2021 murder of Seema Goyal; however, a joint interrogation with her father, considered vital to resolve inconsistencies in their earlier statements, has not taken place yet.

According to sources, Parul, 30, appeared before the investigating team today and her questioning is expected to continue. The police had earlier argued in court that a face-to-face confrontation between father and daughter was essential. Notably, Goyal’s remand stands extended by only two more days.

According to the information, Parul was not home on the night of the murder. While she cannot help in recreating the scene, her statement is crucial for establishing estranged relationship between her parents. Earlier, irregularities in Parul’s polygraph test conducted in 2023 led the police to suspect foul play in both her and her father’s statements.

The police then put forth the request for Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature (BEOS) profiling, which was conducted in July this year. Notably, Goyal’s statements and retelling of the events from discovering his wife’s body to prior night’s happenings did not quite match, based on which the police arrested him on Monday and received a three-day remand.

On Wednesday, the district court granted the extension after sharp exchanges between the prosecution and the defence. Investigating Officer (IO) Naveen had insisted that the recovery of Goyal’s missing mobile phone and the joint questioning were crucial grounds for seeking additional custody.

The hearing also saw Goyal alleging mistreatment in police custody, claiming he had not been given food for nearly 24 hours and had been denied socks and a thick blanket in cold weather. The court directed the IO to ensure that the accused’s basic needs, including adequate meals, were properly met, while clarifying that any additional items would be provided strictly as per the police manual.