Pune: The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal has taken a dramatic turn, with the two main accused—his fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary—giving conflicting accounts of who masterminded the crime. Police, however, maintain that evidence points to a carefully planned conspiracy that unfolded over several months.
According to investigators, the couple allegedly made multiple attempts to kill Agarwal before the fatal incident at Lohagad Fort on June 18. During police interrogation, Chetan reportedly claimed that he wanted to elope with Siya, but she insisted that killing Ketan was the only way forward because of pressure from her family. Siya, meanwhile, has denied the allegation and claimed that the murder plot was conceived by Chetan.
Police allege that the accused visited Lohagad Fort more than once to scout the location. During two earlier trips, investigators believe Siya was unable to push Ketan into the gorge. After the second failed attempt, Chetan allegedly told her, “You can’t do it, now I’ll finish this,” before taking charge during the third visit, when Ketan was allegedly pushed nearly 600 feet into the gorge. These allegations are based on the ongoing police investigation and have not yet been tested in court.
Investigators further claim the duo had agreed on a pre-arranged signal before the attack. According to the police, Siya was to sit down near the edge of the fort, signaling Chetan that the moment was right. Chetan then allegedly approached Ketan from behind and pushed him into the gorge before fleeing the scene. CCTV footage and other technical evidence are being examined as part of the probe.
The investigation has also uncovered extensive digital evidence. Police say forensic analysis of the accused’s mobile phones revealed internet searches on methods of killing a person, while call records showed the pair exchanged more than 2,000 calls over a six-month period. Authorities believe these records support their theory that the murder was premeditated.
Officials are also investigating the disappearance of Ketan’s passport, which reportedly led to the cancellation of a planned Bali trip months before the incident. They suspect it may have been part of the broader conspiracy, though the inquiry is still ongoing.
Both accused remain in police custody, while Chetan’s family has denied the allegations and claimed he has been falsely implicated. Investigators continue to gather forensic, digital and witness evidence before filing the final chargesheet.
