What began as a seemingly swift marriage arrangement between two families has now become a crucial part of a high-profile murder investigation. According to police, the families of Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal first met in February and finalized their engagement within just a week. As investigators probe Ketan’s death at Lohagad Fort near Pune, the rapid timeline of the relationship, along with CCTV footage and other findings, has come under intense scrutiny.
The family of Ketan Agarwal had firmly denied that his fiancée, Siya Goyal, had any role in his death at Lohagad Fort near Pune, describing her as “our own.” However, police investigations have continued and uncovered details that, according to officials, point towards a planned murder allegedly involving Siya and her boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary.
A police officer involved in the investigation said Ketan’s family was initially asked whether they suspected Siya in Ketan’s death. The family defended the 20-year-old and told investigators they did not want unnecessary controversy. However, officials said procedural inquiries were necessary and eventually revealed a sequence of events that raised suspicions.
According to police, both Siya and Chetan allegedly plotted and executed Ketan’s murder. Investigators found that the families of Ketan and Siya had first met in February and finalized the wedding within a week. On June 21, three days after Ketan died after falling from Lohagad Fort into a 350-metre gorge, a team from the Lonavala Rural Police Station visited the fort and examined CCTV footage.
During the review of CCTV footage, police observed a man wearing a hoodie walking close behind Ketan and Siya. Investigators noted that Siya appeared to be giving signals to the man, who responded to them. Officials said this strengthened their suspicions and became an important part of the investigation.
Police stated that CCTV footage showed Siya repeatedly looking back at the man in the hoodie. At one point, she was seen raising her hand near her face and making a gesture, which was allegedly answered by the hooded man.
Another suspicious finding, according to police, was the time taken by the hooded man to climb up and down the fort. Officials said he completed the journey in about 48 minutes, despite the climb normally taking 25-30 minutes and the descent another 15 minutes. Investigators questioned why someone would travel to a historic fort only to remain at the top for just a few minutes.
Police also highlighted inconsistencies in Siya’s statements. Initially, she reportedly told investigators that Ketan had slipped and fallen while they were taking photographs. Later, she allegedly stated that she became tired after climbing the fort, sat down to rest, and asked Ketan to bring her a bottle of water. According to police, Ketan then lost his balance and slipped. Officials said this change in her version of events raised further suspicion.
Investigators also found no photographs from the fort on Ketan’s phone on the day of the incident. Police said the location where Siya claimed they had stopped for rest was hidden from other visitors and not easily visible, suggesting it may have been premeditated. Officials further stated that analysis of Siya’s phone records confirmed that the hooded individual was Chetan Chaudhary.
According to police, Chetan had planned to disguise himself in a hoodie to avoid being identified. Investigators claimed he had left his phones at home and purchased the mobile device he used from a staff member working in his family’s grocery business. Police said this indicated a conspiracy.
Earlier investigations had also revealed details about a planned trip to Bali. Police alleged that Siya sabotaged the trip because Ketan intended to have a pre-wedding photoshoot there. Investigators claimed Siya hid Ketan’s passport and later returned from Mumbai after saying she could not find it at the airport. Police said Ketan’s passport had gone missing twice before June 18, but the alleged murder plan could not be executed on those occasions.
Ketan was the son of real estate businessman Vishal Agarwal and served as a director in the family-run firm. Siya had recently started a bakery business. While Siya was in a relationship with Chetan, who is pursuing a BBA course in Pune, her family is involved in businesses related to dry fruits. Chetan’s family also runs a grocery business.
Police said Siya and Chetan had been in a relationship since October last year. In February this year, Ketan’s family travelled to Karnataka for a wedding, where they met Siya and her family. On February 12 and 13, police said the families discussed the marriage alliance. On February 19, Ketan and Siya became engaged at a hotel in Pune.
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