Pune, June 28 (ANI): A shocking murder case that was initially believed to be a trekking accident has taken a dramatic turn after police alleged that a 26-year-old Pune businessman was deliberately pushed to his death from Lohagad Fort by his fiancée and her close friend in a premeditated conspiracy.
The victim, Ketan Vishal Agarwal, died on June 18 after falling from the historic Lohagad Fort near Lonavala. His fiancée, Siya Goyal, initially informed police that Ketan had accidentally slipped while trekking.
However, investigators from the Lonavala Rural Police grew suspicious after family members and friends questioned the circumstances surrounding the death, pointing out that Ketan was an experienced trekker and unlikely to have fallen accidentally.
According to Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, the investigation, supported by witness statements, technical evidence and confidential sources, revealed that Siya Goyal had allegedly conspired with her friend Chetan Chaudhary to murder Ketan.
Police alleged that Chetan travelled separately to Lohagad Fort on a motorcycle on the day of the incident. Investigators claim the two accused assaulted Ketan with an object before pushing him off the fort, causing his death. Both accused were arrested on June 23 and, according to police, confessed to the crime during interrogation. A murder case has been registered against them, and further investigation is underway.
A Pune Magistrate Court has remanded Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to police custody until June 29. Although the defence opposed the police custody, the court granted investigators seven days to continue the probe.
Investigators have since uncovered what they believe was a carefully planned conspiracy. Police suspect the murder plot originated during an earlier visit to Lohagad Fort on May 31, when Siya allegedly identified a location from where Ketan could be pushed. Officials further allege that an initial attempt to kill him was made on June 14 but failed after Siya raised an alarm about spotting a snake and later claimed Ketan had slipped during the commotion.
Police also claim the accused met at a café before the murder to discuss the plan and identify suitable locations on the fort. Investigators say Siya and Chetan, who reportedly became close after meeting at a Diwali party last year, remained in constant contact and allegedly exchanged more than 2,000 phone calls over several months.
According to investigators, Siya allegedly did not wish to proceed with her arranged marriage to Ketan and was under family pressure to marry. Police believe she wanted to continue her relationship with Chetan while eliminating Ketan.
As the investigation progresses, police have seized Chetan Chaudhary’s motorcycle, which was allegedly used to travel from Pune to Lohagad Fort on the day of the crime. Authorities have also recovered the hoodie and headphones he was reportedly wearing during the incident. The seized items have been sent for forensic examination.
On Sunday, Siya Goyal’s parents, Pravin Goyal and Pooja Goyal, appeared before Lonavala Police for questioning as investigators continued gathering evidence.
The victim’s family has expressed profound grief and disbelief over the alleged crime. Ketan’s father said that if Siya did not wish to marry his son, she could simply have refused the proposal and the wedding would have been cancelled.
“If she didn’t want to get married, she could have simply said no. We would have cancelled the wedding immediately. Instead, they chose such a cruel path. Society needs to reflect on such a mindset,” he said while demanding a fast-track trial and the strictest possible punishment for the accused.
Ketan’s mother accused Siya of betraying the family’s trust, saying they had welcomed her into their home and never suspected she could be involved in such a crime. She also demanded the harshest punishment under the law.
The Maharashtra Government has approved the establishment of a fast-track court to hear the case and has appointed senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor. The decision followed a meeting between Ketan’s father and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who assured the family that the case would be expedited and that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible.
The case has generated widespread public outrage across the country. Actor Hina Khan also reacted to the incident on social media, expressing shock over the alleged murder.
“In today’s world, speaking the truth has become so difficult that people are ready to take someone’s life instead,” she wrote, questioning why the victim’s life had to be taken instead of simply ending the relationship honestly.
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue collecting forensic and electronic evidence to strengthen the prosecution’s case. (ANI)
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