A chilling new twist has emerged in the death of Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal, with his father alleging that Ketan’s fiancee, Siya Goyal, had attempted to kill him just days before he was allegedly pushed to his death from Maharashtra’s Lohagad Fort.
Ketan Agarwal, a 26-year-old director of a family-run real estate business, died on June 18 after falling nearly 400 feet into a gorge near the historic Lohagad Fort in Pune district. What was initially treated as an accidental fall has now turned into a high-profile murder investigation involving allegations of conspiracy, betrayal and a secret relationship.
Father Alleges Earlier Murder Attempt
Speaking about the incident, Ketan’s father Vishal Agarwal claimed that Siya had already attempted to kill his son on June 14 at the same fort.
According to him, Siya and Ketan had visited Lohagad Fort alone when she allegedly pushed him from a dangerous spot.
“On June 14, they both went to the fort alone, and Siya pushed Ketan. After the push, Ketan grabbed a bush and escaped. Fearing the secret would be revealed, Siya shouted ‘snake, snake’,” Vishal Agarwal alleged.
He claimed that Ketan survived because he managed to grab hold of a bush while falling.
“After being pushed, Ketan slipped backwards and escaped by holding onto a bush. He realised he had been pushed and had survived. Siya immediately shouted ‘snake, snake’ and went and hugged him,” he said.
Missing Passport Raised Suspicions
Vishal Agarwal also pointed to a strange incident involving a planned pre-wedding trip to Bali.
According to him, when the couple reached the airport, Ketan’s passport was mysteriously missing while everyone else’s documents were available.
“When they arrived at the airport, everyone’s passports were there, but Ketan’s passport was missing. They searched for it but could not find it. Therefore, they returned home,” he said.
Following the cancelled trip, he alleged that Siya repeatedly insisted on visiting Lohagad Fort, eventually leading to the June 14 incident.
Wedding Preparations Were Underway
Ketan and Siya were scheduled to get married later this year, and both families had reportedly begun extensive wedding preparations.
According to police, a lavish wedding ceremony had been planned at a palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan, with significant arrangements already in place.
Police Probe Reveals Alleged Conspiracy
Initially, police registered an accidental death report after Siya told investigators that Ketan had slipped and fallen due to strong winds while the couple was visiting the hill fort.
However, further investigation raised suspicions regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
On Tuesday, Pune Rural Police arrested Siya Goyal and her alleged lover, Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, in connection with the case.
Chetan, 22, runs a dry fruits manufacturing business, while Siya owns a bakery. Investigators said the two became acquainted through business connections and later developed a relationship.
According to Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill, the investigation examined several aspects, including financial issues and personal relationships.
Police believe Siya and Chetan viewed Ketan as an obstacle and conspired to eliminate him.
Investigators allege that Siya lured Ketan to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of an outing and later called Chetan to the location. The duo then allegedly pushed Ketan off the fort.
Arrests And Legal Action
Police first detained Chetan based on suspicion. During questioning, he allegedly disclosed details of the murder plot, leading investigators to Siya.
Based on the findings, the Lonavala Rural Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and criminal conspiracy.
“Following a complaint lodged by Ketan’s father, Vishal Agarwal, the police registered a case of murder and criminal conspiracy,” Superintendent Gill said.
Both accused have been remanded to seven days of police custody as investigators continue to examine the circumstances leading to Ketan’s death.
Historic Fort At Centre Of Investigation
The incident occurred at Lohagad Fort, a prominent historical site associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and one of the 12 forts in Maharashtra included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
The tragic death and the allegations surrounding it have shocked residents and drawn widespread attention across Maharashtra, especially given the couple’s impending marriage and the dramatic circumstances now emerging from the investigation.