Murder Trial of Dr. Asha Goel Begins After 21-Year Delay
New Delhi : After more than two decades, the long-awaited trial for the brutal murder of Dr. Asha Goel has officially started, with the first witness testimony marking a critical step toward justice. The case, which has faced repeated delays despite substantial evidence, is now moving forward in the Indian courts.
Dr. Asha Goel, a 63-year-old Canadian citizen and esteemed Obstetrician and Gynecologist, was murdered while visiting her brother’s residence in Mumbai on August 22, 2003. She was attacked in her sleep and fought back against multiple assailants before being bludgeoned to death with a granite rock. The crime occurred in the upscale Malabar Hill area, inside the Sudhakar building on the 14th floor.
Investigations quickly focused on her brothers, Suresh Agrawal and Subhash Agrawal, amid suspicions of an inheritance dispute as the motive. While Suresh Agrawal passed away in 2003, law enforcement continued its probe, leading to the arrest of four individuals in 2006: Pradeep Parab, Manohar Shinde, PK Goenka, and Narendra Goel. Authorities allege that these men were hired by Suresh and Subhash to carry out the murder.
Dr. Goel had been advocating for her youngest brother, Shekhar, to receive a fair share of their father’s estate, a position that reportedly placed her in conflict with Suresh and Subhash. The disputed assets, including high-value real estate in Mumbai, were at the center of the conflict.
Despite compelling evidence, including a confession from one of the accused, DNA analysis, and the recovery of bloodstained clothing, the case has been mired in procedural delays. The Supreme Court of India had previously ordered an expedited trial to conclude within six months, yet more than ten years have passed since that directive.
“A delay of this magnitude, especially when there is a confession and physical evidence, raises serious concerns about the efficiency of the Indian justice system,” said Rashmi Goel, daughter of the victim and a professor of Criminal Law at the University of Denver. “Key witnesses and even one of the accused have already passed away during this prolonged process.”
Renowned prosecutor Ujwal Nikam, a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award, is now leading the case. Having handled numerous high-profile criminal and terrorism trials, Nikam has acknowledged the excessive delays and commended the Goel family’s resilience in their pursuit of justice.
The case underscores broader issues, including delays in the judicial system, inheritance-related family disputes, and women’s safety. The international nature of the case has also drawn attention from Canada, where Dr. Goel’s family continues to await justice.
A key development is expected later this month with the testimony of Pradeep Parab, the key witness who turned approver. Dr. Goel’s husband and three children—Sanjay, Rashmi, and Seema—who reside in North America, remain hopeful that justice will finally be served.
