Ketan Agarwal Murder Case: Pune Police to Recreate Crime Scene at Lohagad Fort

Pune (IANS): The Pune Rural Police will recreate the crime scene at Lohagad Fort as part of their investigation into the murder of 26-year-old businessman Ketan Agarwal. The exercise will help investigators reconstruct the sequence of events leading to Ketan’s death and verify the suspects’ claims.

Police sources confirm they have made elaborate preparations for the crime scene recreation and are keeping the exact date and time confidential for security and investigative reasons.

Reconstructing the Fatal Fall

Investigators aim to determine exactly how the primary accused—Ketan’s fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged lover, Chetan Babulal Chaudhary—carried out the murder.

During the exercise, police will use a dummy body to:

• Establish the exact positions of Ketan, Siya, and Chetan at the time of the incident.
• Identify the precise point where the suspects allegedly pushed Ketan.
• Assess the trajectory and distance of his fall into the ravine.

Because the incident has no eyewitnesses, the state is building its case largely on circumstantial evidence. Consequently, police are examining every aspect of the timeline before and after the alleged murder. So far, detectives have recorded the statements of seven individuals.

The Secret Communications

Among those questioned, police detained and interrogated Neeraj—an employee at Chetan’s shop—for more than 24 hours. While investigators found no evidence suggesting his direct involvement, Neeraj provided a crucial lead. He admitted that Chetan used his mobile phone on the day of the incident but claimed he knew nothing of Chetan’s murderous intentions.

Police now plan to make Neeraj a witness. Investigators reveal that Chetan intentionally left his own mobile phone behind and used Neeraj’s phone to coordinate with Siya on the day of the crime.

Initially, authorities treated the incident as an accidental fall during a trek. However, the probe took a sharp turn when evidence pointed to a premeditated plot.

According to police, Siya claimed in her statement that Ketan had pressured her into the marriage by boasting about his family’s immense wealth and political influence. Court proceedings and the ongoing investigation will subject these claims to strict judicial scrutiny.

Past Attempts Exposed

Investigators reveal that Siya made several attempts to lure Ketan to Lohagad Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated roughly 3,300 feet above sea level.

The couple first visited the fort on May 31. On June 4, Siya insisted on another visit, but Ketan’s mother refused to give permission. Police claim that during a subsequent trip on June 14, Siya actually attempted to push Ketan off a cliff.

Ketan managed to save his own life by grabbing onto a bush. When he confronted Siya, she claimed she had seen a snake and pushed him, only to protect him. The attackers finally succeeded in killing Ketan during another visit to the fort on June 18.

In contrast, Siya’s mother maintains that her daughter disliked trekking and claims that Ketan and his mother actively persuaded Siya to go on the trip.

A Secret Relationship

Police state that Siya met Chetan at a business meeting last year. The duo had been in a relationship since November 2025, even as families finalized preparations for Siya’s marriage to Ketan. Siya owned a local bakery, while Chetan operated a dry fruit business. Ketan served as the Director and Chief Marketing Officer of his family’s prominent real estate firm, Success Group.

Building Independent Evidence

Pune Rural Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Gill, emphasized that his team is building an airtight chain of independent evidence rather than relying solely on suspect confessions.

“A confession made before the police is not admissible in court,” SP Sandeep Gill stated. “Therefore, we have to independently establish our evidence. We must corroborate the evidence and present it in a logical and legally sustainable manner. Our team is currently working on that.”

Investigators are also analyzing CCTV footage obtained by NDTV, which reportedly shows Siya Goyal meeting Chetan Chaudhary at a Pune cafe on June 18 to finalize the murder plot.

“Throw Her From the Same Spot,” Says Accused’s Mother

The parents of the prime accused, Siya Goyal, expressed profound shock over the incident, extended their deepest condolences to the victim’s family, and demanded the strictest punishment for anyone found guilty.

Siya’s father, Praveen Goyal, shared his immense grief over the loss of a young man he had grown to love like a son.

“What happened is a very sad incident. I still can’t believe it,” Praveen Goyal said. “They have lost their son… Such a loving, talented, good boy. As a father, I would say they lost their son; there’s no bigger sorrow than this.”

Siya’s mother, Pooja Goyal, echoed these sentiments, stating that justice must prevail regardless of the emotional cost to her own family.

“The grief Ketan’s family is experiencing today is immense, but I feel even greater pain because two families have been devastated,” Pooja Goyal said. “If anyone is found guilty in this case, they should receive the strictest possible punishment, even if it is my daughter. If my daughter is found guilty, then the law should throw her from the very place from which Ketan fell.”

The Security Guard’s Account

Dheeraj Jadhav, a security guard at the historic fort, recalled the chilling moments surrounding the incident. Jadhav stated that he rushed toward the cliffside after hearing distant screams.

“I came running after hearing screams. I asked Siya Goyal what happened, and she said that ‘someone has fallen off the fort.’ I immediately informed the police,” Jadhav said. He added that Siya was shouting “Help, help” to project an accidental fall.

Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary remain in police custody as forensic experts, tech analysts, and detectives piece together the final chain of evidence.