48-min CCTV trail, Siya's changing versions: How Ketan's fall became murder probe

Police are re-examining Ketan Agrawal's death at Lohagad Fort after CCTV footage and digital records raised doubts over the accidental fall account. The probe has widened around alleged inconsistencies, possible coordination and an unclear timeline at the scene.

In Short

• Ketan Agarwal, 25, fell from a clip near Pune on June 18
• Siya Goyal and lover Chetan Chaudhary arrested for murder
• Cops revisited case after contradictions in Siya Goyal's statements

The death of 25-year-old Pune businessman Ketan Agrawal, initially believed to be a hiking accident at Lohagad Fort, transformed into a murder investigation after police came acrosss a set of red flags during their initial probe. These included changing witness statements and missing photographs to CCTV footage showing a mysterious hooded man and a suspicious 48-minute trail.

Ketan, the director and Chief Marketing Officer of his family-run real estate firm, Success Group, died after falling into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18 while on a trek with his fiance, Siya Goyal. The couple had got engaged earlier this year and were due to marry in November.

According to police, both families had planned an elaborate wedding in Rajasthan's Udaipur.

Soon after the incident, Siya told police that Ketan had slipped while the couple were taking photographs near the edge of the fort amid strong winds. An accidental death report was registered, and rescue teams recovered his body after a three-hour operation.

Police have since arrested Siya and her lover Chetan Choudhary, alleging that the two conspired to kill Ketan. Investigators, however, say the case did not turn into a murder probe overnight. Instead, they claim a series of inconsistencies, CCTV footage, digital evidence and findings that emerged during the interrogation of the accused gradually shifted the investigation from an accidental death to a suspected murder.

While earlier reports suggested that doubts raised by Ketan's sister after speaking to Siya prompted the investigation, police now say the probe was driven by technical evidence and inconsistencies that surfaced during the course of the inquiry.

According to investigators, officers continued analysing CCTV footage, digital records and witness accounts from the outset, despite Ketan's family initially expressing no suspicion and requesting that police avoid creating unnecessary controversy around the death.

SIYA'S CHANGING STATEMENTS

According to police, the first major red flag was the change in Siya's account of what happened on the day of the incident.

Investigators said Siya initially claimed Ketan slipped while the couple were taking photographs near the edge of the fort.

Later, during questioning, she reportedly changed her version, saying the couple had stopped to rest after climbing the fort, Ketan had asked for water and slipped while handing her the bottle.

Police said the conflicting versions prompted investigators to scrutinise the sequence of events more closely.

Another detail also raised suspicion. Despite Siya's initial claim that the couple had been taking photographs, investigators found no pictures from Lohagad Fort on Ketan's mobile phone.

Officials further noted that the location where Ketan fell was relatively isolated and not a spot commonly used by trekkers to rest, adding to doubts about her account.

HOODED MAN ON CCTV

As investigators analysed CCTV footage from Lohagad Fort and surrounding areas, they noticed another suspicious detail.

According to police, the footage showed a man wearing a hoodie walking along the trail near Ketan and Siya. Investigators claim Siya was seen repeatedly looking back towards him and, at one point, making a hand gesture, to which the man appeared to respond.

Police later analysed call detail records, mobile location data and travel patterns before identifying the hooded man as Chetan Choudhary.

According to investigators, the CCTV footage became one of the most significant pieces of evidence in the case, prompting them to examine Choudhary's movements in greater detail.

THE 48-MINUTE TRAIL

Police say another clue emerged when they reconstructed Choudhary's movements on the day of the incident.

According to investigators, Choudhary reached Lohagad Fort before Ketan and Siya arrived and left after spending only about 48 minutes there.

Officials believe the unusually brief visit suggested he had travelled to the fort for a specific purpose rather than for recreation, leading investigators to probe his movements further.

Police say the timeline, viewed alongside CCTV footage, digital evidence and call records, became an important part of the alleged conspiracy.

INTERROGATION & EVIDENCE

Police said the investigation gathered further momentum after Choudhary was detained by the Local Crime Branch and questioned.

According to investigators, details that emerged during the interrogation, when examined alongside CCTV footage, mobile location data, call detail records and other digital evidence, helped them piece together what they describe as a premeditated conspiracy.

Police have also claimed that the accused confessed to their roles during questioning. Investigators, however, said they did not rely on those statements alone and continued corroborating them with CCTV footage, forensic findings, digital records and other technical evidence before making the arrests.

Police have arrested Siya Goyal and Chetan Choudhary on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. Both are in police custody as investigators continue to examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage, digital records and call data to establish the precise sequence of events leading to Ketan's death.

Officials maintain that the investigation remains ongoing and that every aspect of the alleged conspiracy is being verified. The allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.

- Ends