Pune Trekking Murder Case: How a Hoodie in 33°C Heat Trapped Fiancée and Her Lover

NEW DELHI (IANS): Police investigators have cracked open a chilling murder conspiracy disguised as a trekking accident at Lohagad Fort near Pune. A bizarre detail captured on CCTV footage blew the case wide open: a man trekking in a heavy hoodie despite a blistering 33-degree Celsius heatwave.

While the death of Ketan Agarwal—son of a prominent Maharashtra businessman—was initially reported as an accidental fall on June 18, police soon discovered a calculated assassination plot orchestrated by his fiancée and her secret lover.

The Suspicious CCTV Footage

As police scanned security footage near the historic fort, two major red flags destroyed the accident theory:

• The Shadowy Stalker: The footage showed Ketan walking with his fiancée, Siya Goyal, while a man in shorts and a hoodie trailed them from 20 to 30 feet behind. The man had his face concealed by the hood and was wearing a headset.
• The Unnatural Reaction: A second clip captured Siya suddenly turning to look back at the hooded man. The man instantly dropped to the ground to avoid drawing attention.

Detectives questioned why anyone would wear a heavy hoodie during a gruelling trek in 33-degree heat. Digital analysis and a cross-check of social media profiles quickly identified the hooded man as 22-year-old dry fruit trader Chetan Babulal Chaudhary.

2,004 Phone Calls and a Lavish Secret Life

Police suspicions grew when investigators noticed Siya displayed little to no grief after her fiancé’s death. Ketan’s uncle also revealed that Siya had previously tried to postpone the wedding.

Call logs later exposed the depth of the affair: Siya and Chetan had exchanged 2,004 phone calls over the past seven months, logging nearly 238 hours of conversation.

Ketan and Siya got engaged in February and were planning a lavish November wedding featuring private jets and palace venues. However, Siya had already entered a romantic relationship with Chetan after meeting him at a business event in 2025.

Police state that Chetan viewed Ketan as an obstacle to their relationship, prompting the duo to conspire to eliminate him.

Failed Attempts and “Plan C”

According to investigators, the fatal trek was the culmination of multiple murder attempts:

1. The Sabotaged Passport: Days before the murder, the couple planned a pre-wedding photoshoot in Bali. The trip fell through at Mumbai airport when Ketan realized his passport was missing. His father now alleges that Siya deliberately hid the document.
2. The “Snake” Incident (June 14): Four days before the murder, Siya allegedly pushed Ketan near a cliff edge at Lohagad Fort. Ketan saved himself by grabbing a bush. To cover her tracks, Siya screamed about a snake and hugged him to appear protective.
3. The Fatal Push (June 18): Siya lured Ketan back to the fort under the guise of a casual outing and summoned Chetan. Together, the two allegedly blindsided Ketan, pushing him into a deep gorge.

Investigators also discovered text references to a “Plan C,” which the lovers intended to execute if the fort plot failed.

Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary face charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. A court has remanded them to seven days of police custody as the investigation continues.