Pune couple arrested for pre-planned murder of fiance in Lohagad Fort

In a chilling turn of events that has gripped Pune, Siya Goyal, 20, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, 22, have been arrested in connection with the murder of Goyal's fiancé, Ketan Agarwal, 26. The incident, initially believed to be a tragic accident, has since been revealed by the Pune Rural Police as a meticulously planned murder. Agarwal was allegedly pushed to his death from a cliff at the Lohagad Fort on June 18, 2026. The investigation has painted a grim picture of a premeditated crime, with police uncovering evidence of multiple prior attempts by Goyal and Chaudhary to kill Agarwal. These attempts reportedly included luring him to the fort on previous occasions with the intention of causing his death. One such attempt, four days before the murder, saw Goyal allegedly push Agarwal, though he survived by clinging to bushes. She later claimed she was saving him from a snake as a cover-up. The motive behind the alleged murder appears to stem from Goyal's reluctance to marry Agarwal, to whom she was engaged to be married in November 2026. Police sources indicate that Goyal and Chaudhary were in a relationship for over a year, a fact that Ketan's family was unaware of. Chaudhary reportedly told Goyal that he needed at least three years to settle his career before they could marry, suggesting a desire to 'buy time' through Agarwal's elimination. This alleged conspiracy involved café meetings, rehearsals at the crime scene, and attempts to erase digital evidence. Investigating officers have pieced together a sequence of events that highlights the calculated nature of the crime. The couple allegedly met at a café in Kondhwa, Pune, the day before the murder to finalize their plan. To avoid detection, Chaudhary reportedly used an employee's mobile phone, leaving his own behind, and travelled to Lohagad Fort on a scooter instead of a car to evade toll plaza tracking. Goyal allegedly provided a signal – by sitting down, possibly to tie her shoelaces or drink water – to Chaudhary, who then pushed Agarwal off the cliff. This signal was reportedly chosen to ensure Goyal's safety, keeping her out of Agarwal's reach if he tried to grab her while falling. Evidence collected by the police includes CCTV footage showing the accused at a café, call records indicating over 2,000 calls and 238 hours of conversation between Goyal and Chaudhary over six months, and recovered digital data from their mobile phones, including deleted chats and a second hidden phone. The police also conducted a crime scene reconstruction at Lohagad Fort with Goyal. Both Goyal and Chaudhary have been arrested and charged with murder and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. They were initially remanded to police custody and have since been sent to judicial custody, with their custody being extended multiple times as the investigation progresses. The defense has challenged the legality of Chaudhary's arrest, claiming he was detained before the FIR was registered, though the court rejected the plea to declare the arrest illegal while ordering the preservation of CCTV footage. Adding to the tragedy, Ketan Agarwal's grandfather, Devichand Agarwal, passed away due to cardiac arrest, reportedly due to the shock and stress following his grandson's death. The case has garnered significant public attention, with Ujjwal Nikam, known for prosecuting Ajmal Kasab, appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor. The Maharashtra government has also decided to conduct the trial through a fast-track court to expedite the legal process. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on establishing an unbroken chain of circumstantial evidence to secure a conviction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest