Pune Realtor Ketan Agarwal Murder: Fiancée, Lover Accused in Fort Killing

The tragic death of 26-year-old Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal on June 18, 2026, initially reported as an accidental fall from Lohagad Fort, has been reclassified by police as a premeditated murder. The investigation has since led to the arrest of his fiancée, 20-year-old Siya Goyal, and her alleged lover, 22-year-old Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, who are accused of conspiring to push Agarwal off a nearly 400-foot cliff at the fort's 'Ghost Point'. According to police, the elaborate plot unfolded over several months, reportedly beginning after Siya and Chetan met at a Diwali party in 2025. Siya, who was engaged to Ketan and scheduled to marry him in November 2026, allegedly harbored a strong dislike for him, citing reasons such as his baldness (he wore a wig), personality, and a stammer. She reportedly expressed a desire to end the engagement but feared social stigma and family embarrassment. This, coupled with her alleged relationship with Chetan, is believed to be the primary motive behind the murder conspiracy. Investigators have uncovered a series of alleged attempts by the accused to kill Ketan prior to the fatal incident. These include Siya allegedly misplacing Ketan's passport to cancel a pre-wedding photoshoot trip to Bali, and multiple attempts to lure him to Lohagad Fort. On one such visit on June 14, just days before the murder, Siya reportedly tried to push Ketan off a cliff, but he managed to save himself by grabbing onto nearby bushes. Police claim she explained this away by saying she had spotted a snake. The duo also allegedly conducted reconnaissance of the fort and even 'rehearsed' the murder on a Pune hill in Lulla Nagar. On the day of the murder, June 18, Siya brought Ketan to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of a trek. Chetan Chaudhary, disguised in a thick winter hoodie despite the warm weather to evade identification, allegedly followed them. Police claim Siya used a pre-arranged secret signal, such as sitting near the cliff edge, to alert Chetan before Ketan was pushed. This signal was reportedly chosen to ensure Siya remained out of Ketan's reach, preventing him from pulling her down with him. After Ketan's fall, Siya raised an alarm and contacted his family, initially claiming it was an accidental slip. The breakthrough in the case came from meticulous police work, including the examination of CCTV footage that captured a hooded figure (later identified as Chetan) trailing the couple. Call detail records, digital communications, and witness statements further solidified the police's suspicion of foul play. Investigators also found that Siya and Chetan had allegedly deleted their chat histories and cleared phone recycle bins, efforts to conceal their conspiracy. Their mobile phones have since been sent to a forensic laboratory to recover deleted data. Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary were arrested on June 23, 2026, and have been remanded to judicial custody. During interrogations, the accused reportedly began blaming each other, with Chetan initially claiming Siya instigated the plan, while Siya alleged Chetan was the mastermind. However, police stated that digital evidence and CCTV footage contradicted these blame-shifting narratives, pointing to a joint, pre-planned conspiracy. A third individual, a classmate of Chetan's, is also under investigation, as he was allegedly aware of the murder plot and had advised against it. The high-profile nature of the case, marked by betrayal and pre-meditation, led to significant public and political attention. Ketan Agarwal's family, including his mother Rakhi Agarwal and father Vishal Agarwal, have actively sought justice, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, respectively, to urge a speedy investigation and trial. In response to these appeals and recognizing the gravity of the crime, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the appointment of renowned 26/11 prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case. Fadnavis also directed that steps be taken to establish a fast-track court to ensure a swift trial. The investigation continues, with police planning further forensic analyses, including gait analysis of Chetan Chaudhary to compare his movements in CCTV footage with recreated videos. The case has deeply impacted Ketan's family, who are grappling with their loss, including the death of Ketan's grandfather shortly after the tragedy, allegedly from the shock. The proceedings underscore a complex web of deceit, alleged betrayal, and the pursuit of justice in a case that has 'shaken the entire nation'.

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