Ketan Agarwal Murder: Gait Analysis Crucial in Pune Fort Probe
The Ketan Agarwal murder case continues to unfold, with police employing gait analysis in their investigation of accused Chetan Chaudhary. Agarwal's fiancée, Siya Goyal, and Chaudhary are accused of pushing him off Lohagad Fort, a death initially reported as an accident. The forensic technique aims to match Chaudhary's walking pattern with CCTV footage.
Key Highlights
- Ketan Agarwal's death at Lohagad Fort initially reported as an accidental fall.
- Fiancée Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary arrested for alleged murder.
- Police suspect pre-planned conspiracy due to Siya's reluctance to marry Ketan.
- Gait analysis is being used to identify Chetan Chaudhary from CCTV footage.
- Accused are in police custody until July 3 for further investigation.
- Investigators are also probing financial transactions and deleted digital evidence.
The mysterious death of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal on June 18, 2026, at Lohagad Fort has evolved into a high-profile murder investigation, with police now focusing on advanced forensic techniques like gait analysis. Initially, Agarwal's death was reported as an accidental fall from the historic fort near Lonavala. However, subsequent police investigation led to the arrest of his fiancée, Siya Goyal, 22, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, 25, on June 23, 2026, on charges of pre-meditated murder.
According to police, Ketan Agarwal, 26, was pushed into a deep gorge at Lohagad Fort, approximately 300 to 400 feet deep. The motive behind the alleged murder appears to be Siya Goyal's unwillingness to marry Ketan Agarwal, a marriage that was scheduled for November 2026, and her alleged relationship with Chetan Chaudhary. Investigators claim that Siya feared social stigma if she called off the wedding. Ketan Agarwal had reportedly expressed suspicions to his family about Siya Goyal's closeness to Chetan Chaudhary and her frequent mentions of him.
The investigation has revealed that Siya Goyal allegedly made a prior attempt on Ketan's life on June 14, just four days before his death, at the same fort, by pushing him. However, he survived after grabbing onto bushes, and Siya reportedly explained it as an attempt to save him from a snake. Police also allege that Siya Goyal took ₹1 crore from Ketan Agarwal, ostensibly for wedding shopping, but transferred the entire amount to Chetan Chaudhary, who was reportedly facing financial difficulties. Forensic analysis of their mobile phones allegedly showed that they searched for ways to avoid police suspicion and how to kill Ketan, and subsequently deleted their search history and chats.
In a significant development, the police are now employing 'gait analysis' as a crucial part of their probe into Chetan Chaudhary. This forensic technique involves the systematic study of a person's walking or running pattern, examining unique characteristics such as stride length, posture, and limb movements. The need for gait analysis arose because CCTV footage from the day of the incident at Lohagad Fort shows a hooded figure walking near the crime scene, whose face is obscured. Investigators believe comparing the walking pattern of this individual with Chetan Chaudhary's gait could help confirm his presence at the scene.
Police plan to recreate the CCTV footage by having Chetan Chaudhary wear a similar hoodie and walk in the same area and manner at Lohagad Fort. This newly recorded video will then be compared with the original CCTV footage, potentially using AI tools to analyze similarities. While gait analysis is gaining recognition in India as a forensic tool, experts note that it is typically considered corroborative rather than standalone evidence in courts. It is a relatively new field of forensic science in India and its evidentiary value in judicial tests is still evolving.
The accused, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary, were produced before a Vadgaon Maval court, which extended their police custody until July 3, 2026. Prosecutors sought further custodial interrogation, emphasizing that the investigation is at a crucial stage, with several aspects of the alleged conspiracy still to be examined, including the exact crime spot, deleted digital evidence, and the victim's missing passport. Police have also seized Chetan's two-wheeler, allegedly used to avoid toll plaza surveillance, and recovered clothing items like a hoodie and headphones believed to be worn by him on the day of the incident.
Siya Goyal's brother, Sahil Goyal, reportedly admitted to being aware of Siya and Chetan's romantic involvement but claimed Siya had assured him she wanted to marry Ketan. The case highlights the increasing reliance on advanced forensic techniques in Indian criminal investigations, particularly when traditional identification methods are hindered by obscured visual evidence. The ongoing probe continues to uncover more details about the alleged conspiracy and its execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ketan Agarwal death case about?
The Ketan Agarwal death case involves the alleged murder of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort on June 18, 2026. His fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, have been arrested and accused of pushing him to his death.
Who are the main accused in the Ketan Agarwal murder case?
The main accused are Siya Goyal, Ketan Agarwal's fiancée, and Chetan Chaudhary, her alleged lover. They were arrested on June 23, 2026, and are currently in police custody for their alleged involvement in the murder.
What is gait analysis and why is it being used in this case?
Gait analysis is a forensic technique that studies a person's unique walking or running pattern, including stride length, posture, and limb movements. Police are using it in the Ketan Agarwal case to identify Chetan Chaudhary from CCTV footage, which shows a hooded figure near the crime scene whose face is obscured.
Is gait analysis considered strong evidence in Indian courts?
While gait analysis is increasingly used in forensic investigations in India, it is generally considered corroborative evidence rather than standalone proof. Its evidentiary value in judicial tests is still developing, and forensic experts often recommend interpreting it alongside other independent evidence.
What are the alleged motives behind Ketan Agarwal's murder?
Police allege that Siya Goyal was unwilling to marry Ketan Agarwal and conspired with Chetan Chaudhary to kill him, fearing social stigma if she called off the wedding. The investigation also points to a pre-existing relationship between Siya and Chetan, and financial transactions involving ₹1 crore from Ketan to Siya, which was allegedly transferred to Chetan.
