How Ketan's sister's doubts expose Pune murder plot by Siya and Chetan

What began as a reported trekking accident took a dramatic turn after Ketan Agrawal's sister questioned his fiancee. Investigators now claim the fatal fall was preceded by multiple failed attempts and a carefully planned conspiracy.

In Short

• Lohagad trekking accident revealed as murder conspiracy after sister-fiancée talk
• Multiple attempts made to push Ketan off cliff before fatal June 18 fall
• Siya Goyal and lover Chetan Chaudhary arrested for murder and conspiracy

What was initially treated as a tragic trekking accident at Maharashtra's Lohagad Fort unravelled into an alleged murder conspiracy after a conversation between Ketan Agrawal's sister and his fiancee raised suspicions that ultimately changed the course of the investigation.

According to Pune Rural Police, a key breakthrough came four days after Ketan's funeral when his fiancee, Siya Goyal, visited the family's home. During the meeting, Ketan's sister, Sanjana, questioned Siya about the events leading up to the June 18 incident in which the 26-year-old businessman fell into a gorge during a trek at Lohagad Fort.

Police sources said Siya's answers appeared inconsistent, prompting family members to alert investigators. What initially seemed like a routine conversation soon became one of the most crucial leads in the case.

The development eventually led police to arrest Siya and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy.

POLICE ALLEGE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS BEFORE FATAL FALL

Investigators now believe the June 18 incident was not spontaneous but the culmination of a plan that had been unfolding for weeks.

According to police, Siya repeatedly persuaded Ketan to accompany her to Lohagad Fort before his death.

"During inquiries with Ketan's sister, Sanjana, and other family members, we came to know that Siya had repeatedly persuaded Agarwal to accompany her to Lohagad Fort on multiple occasions before the fatal incident," an officer said.

Police said Siya first took Ketan to Lohagad Fort on May 31.

She allegedly tried to take him there again on June 4, but the visit did not happen after Ketan's mother refused permission.

"She again insisted that he go to Lohagad Fort on June 4. However, Ketan's mother did not allow him to go there a second time," the officer said.

Investigators suspect Siya may have conducted a recce of the location during the May 31 visit.

Police further allege that another attempt was made on June 14.

According to investigators, Siya once again persuaded Ketan to visit the fort and allegedly tried to push him off a cliff.

"He managed to hold on to a bush. When Ketan wondered why he had been pushed, she raised a false alarm about a snake and tried to make it appear that she had protected him," the officer said.

BALI TRIP THAT NEVER HAPPENED

Police believe the accused wanted to eliminate Ketan before a planned pre-wedding trip to Bali.

Investigators said Siya and Ketan were scheduled to travel to Bali for a pre-wedding photoshoot.

However, the trip never took place after Ketan's passport mysteriously disappeared.

According to the investigation, Siya allegedly made the passport vanish before the journey, causing the travel plans to collapse.

HOODED MAN IN CCTV FOOTAGE

The case took another turn when investigators examined CCTV footage from Lohagad Fort.

Officers spotted a hooded man trailing Ketan and Siya through the tourist site.

Police found his behaviour suspicious because temperatures were around 33 degrees Celsius, yet he was seen wearing a hoodie pulled low over his face along with a headset.

In one clip, officers observed Siya looking behind her while the hooded man abruptly sat down.

The footage later became a critical piece of evidence.

Police allege the hooded man was Chetan Chaudhary.

Investigators believe he took elaborate steps to avoid detection. According to police, his internet activity remained switched off for most of the day, while he allegedly left his own phone at his shop and travelled with an employee's mobile phone to avoid location tracking.

THOUSANDS OF CALLS BETWEEN SIYA AND CHETAN

As suspicions grew, police widened the probe and began analysing technical evidence, including call detail records and digital communication data.

According to investigators, the records revealed extensive communication between Siya and Chetan.

"We found thousands of calls exchanged between the two over an extended period, including several conversations lasting for hours," an officer said.

Police said the analysis established a close connection between the pair and pointed towards what investigators describe as a carefully planned conspiracy.

"The technical analysis established a close connection between the duo and pointed towards a well-thought-out conspiracy," the officer said.

Investigators then compared photographs and social media profiles linked to Chetan with images of the hooded man captured in CCTV footage from the fort.

The comparison helped police narrow their focus on him before teams from the Lonavala Rural Police Station and the Local Crime Branch traced and detained him for questioning.

"During interrogation, we connected all the dots, which revealed a premeditated conspiracy involving Siya and Chetan," the officer said.

WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST RUN AWAY?

Police believe the alleged motive stemmed from Siya's relationship with Chetan and her reluctance to proceed with her planned marriage to Ketan.

According to investigators, Siya and Ketan got engaged in February and were scheduled to marry in November in Udaipur.

During questioning, officers asked Chetan why the pair allegedly did not simply leave together.

"According to him, Siya was not in favour of calling off the engagement and eloping with Chetan, as she thought doing so would bring disrespect to her family," the officer said.

Police now allege that the June 18 fall at Lohagad Fort was the final act of a conspiracy that included repeated visits to the fort, a failed cliffside attempt, a cancelled Bali trip and months of secret communication between the two accused.

The investigation is ongoing.

- Ends