Ketan Agarwal Murder Case: Pune Police Conduct Confrontational Interrogation of Fiancee and Lover Over Lohagad Fort Plot

The investigation into the high-profile homicide of Ketan Agarwal has intensified, with Pune Police deploying direct confrontational interrogation techniques. Co-accused individuals Siya Goyal and her partner, Chetan Chaudhary—who allegedly conspired to murder Agarwal by pushing him into a deep ravine at Lohagad Fort near Pune—were placed face-to-face during an intensive, late-night questioning session conducted by local law enforcement.

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The two suspects, currently remanded to seven-day police custody, were questioned simultaneously to resolve contradictions in their individual statements.

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According to official case files, Goyal, a bakery owner, met Chaudhary, a wholesale dry fruit merchant, during a commercial business convention last year. The two reportedly established a relationship in November 2025, precisely as the families of Goyal and Agarwal were finalizing arrangements for an elite wedding.

Detailed Conspiracy and Previous Attempts Uncovered

The prosecution alleges that Chaudhary viewed Agarwal, the son of a prominent Maharashtra industrialist, as an existential barrier to his relationship with Goyal. This friction culminated in a coordinated conspiracy to eliminate him before the formal nuptials could take place.

Timeline of Key Events in the Homicide Plot:
• February 2026: High-profile engagement announced between Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal.
• May 2026: Pre-wedding photoshoot in Bali aborted at Mumbai airport due to the victim's missing passport.
• June 14, 2026: Initial murder attempt fails at Lohagad Fort; victim saved by cliffside vegetation.
• June 18, 2026: Fatal secondary attempt carried out at Lohagad Fort under the guise of a casual outing.

Subsequent behavioral analysis by investigators suggests a prolonged pattern of sabotage. Prior to the incident, a scheduled pre-wedding international trip to Bali was abruptly canceled at Mumbai International Airport when Agarwal discovered his travel documents were missing. The victim’s father has formally alleged that Goyal intentionally hid the passport to disrupt the trip.

Furthermore, forensic details show that a prior attempt on Agarwal’s life was engineered on June 14 at the exact same fortification. During that excursion, Goyal reportedly shoved the victim near a steep drop, but Agarwal managed to break his fall by gripping a cliffside bush. Goyal allegedly neutralized suspicion at the scene by fabricating a sudden wildlife distraction, screaming about a non-existent snake before pulling him back to safety.

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Technical Evidence Triggers New Detentions

The fatal incident occurred on June 18, when Goyal persuaded Agarwal to return to Lohagad Fort for an afternoon excursion. According to investigators, Goyal coordinated with Chaudhary to meet secretly at the site, where the duo caught the victim off-guard and pushed him from behind into the mountain gorge.

The scope of the probe expanded this week following the technical tracking of mobile communication devices used near the crime scene.

The Pune Police have officially detained Neeraj Kumar, an employee who has worked at Chaudhary’s retail storefront for three years. Intelligence sources indicate that Chaudhary confiscated Kumar’s personal mobile phone on the morning of June 18. Detectives strongly suspect that this secondary device was utilized exclusively to maintain un-trackable communication lines with Goyal throughout the execution of the crime.

Local authorities maintain that the joint questioning approach has yielded critical clarifications regarding the logistics of the plot, and further physical evidence recovery drives are scheduled across the rugged terrain of the Western Ghats over the remaining period of the suspects’ custody.

FAQ

Why do investigators use face-to-face questioning for co-accused individuals?

Joint, face-to-face interrogation allows detectives to immediately cross-reference narratives, observe body language cues, and exploit discrepancies when two suspects attempt to shift blame or offer conflicting timelines of an event.

What charges are typically filed in cases involving a pre-planned conspiracy?

In India, crimes involving a pre-meditated plot to commit murder generally invoke Section 120B (Criminal Conspiracy) alongside Section 302 (Murder) of the Indian Penal Code, both of which carry maximum statutory penalties, including life imprisonment or capital punishment.

How is electronic device data processed if a suspect uses someone else’s phone?

Cyber forensics units analyze cellular tower logs, signal triangulation data, and timestamped network activity to map out the exact geographical location of the physical handset, regardless of whose name the SIM card or device is registered under.

Can the statements made during police custody be used as primary evidence in court?

Under Indian law, confessions made directly to police officers while in custody are generally inadmissible as primary evidence in a trial court. However, any physical discoveries or material facts uncovered as a direct consequence of information provided by the accused during custody are highly admissible.