A man seen wearing a hoodie in 33°C heat at Lohagad Fort became the key clue that helped Pune Police unravel the alleged murder of a 26-year-old tech professional, leading to the arrest of his fiancée and her alleged boyfriend.
According to the police, the investigation into the death of Ketan Agrawal (26), who fell from Lohagad Fort on June 18, initially began as an accidental death during a trekking trip. However, CCTV footage, call detail records (CDRs) and digital evidence later pointed towards an alleged murder conspiracy.
Siya had posted several posts with fiancee Ketan on social media. It was Siya’s birthday on June 19. Ketan had been celebrating her pre-birthday for the past one month
Hooded man raises suspicion
Police said CCTV footage from the fort’s ticket counter showed Ketan entering the fort with his fiancée, Siya Goyal (20). Investigators noticed another young man following the couple from a distance.
The man was wearing shorts, a hoodie pulled low over his face and a headset, making it difficult to identify him. In another CCTV clip, Siya was seen looking back, after which the hooded man quickly sat down, allegedly to avoid being noticed.
Investigators later found that the temperature at the time was around 33 degrees Celsius, prompting them to question why someone would wear a hoodie in such weather. The suspicious behaviour made the man a person of interest in the case.
Police later identified him as Chetan Chaudhary (22).
Police have arrested Siya and Chetan
Family’s statements changed direction of probe
Police said Ketan and Siya got engaged in February and were scheduled to marry in November.
Following Ketan’s death, Siya reportedly told her family that he had slipped while trekking. Based on the initial information, police treated the case as an accidental fall.
However, during the investigation, Ketan’s uncle told police that Siya had earlier expressed reluctance about the marriage and had suggested postponing the wedding by a year. Family members also claimed that Siya had repeatedly insisted on taking Ketan to Lohagad Fort.
According to investigators, the couple had visited the fort on May 31, while another planned visit on June 4 did not materialise after Ketan’s mother refused permission.
In one of the posts, Siya and Ketan were seen dancing. The cake was placed on the table
A month after the engagement, Siya wrote, “It’s been a month since my heart got a house”
Police allege earlier murder attempt
According to the police, Siya allegedly persuaded Ketan to visit Lohagad Fort again on June 14.
Investigators claim she attempted to push him into a gorge during that visit, but Ketan managed to save himself by grabbing a bush. When he questioned her, Siya allegedly claimed she had seen a snake and had tried to save him.
Police also suspect that Siya deliberately hid Ketan’s passport, leading to the cancellation of the couple’s planned pre-wedding photoshoot in Bali. Investigators allege that Siya and Chetan wanted to eliminate Ketan before the trip.
Accused Chetan was seen going to the Lohgarh Fort
Call records strengthen case
Police examined call detail records and digital communications between Siya and Chetan and found thousands of calls exchanged over an extended period, with several conversations lasting for hours.
Investigators said the records indicated a close relationship between the two.
Police then compared photographs and social media images of Chetan with the hooded man seen in the CCTV footage, further strengthening their suspicion.
Chetan Chaudhary was taken into custody and questioned. According to police, when asked why he and Siya had not eloped instead of allegedly planning the murder, Chetan said Siya did not want to break off her engagement because it would bring disgrace to her family.
Following the investigation, Pune Police arrested Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary. Both have been booked on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy.
The investigation is ongoing.
