June 18 was supposed to be a celebration. It was Siya Goyal’s birthday, and she and her fiancé, Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal, travelled to Lohagad Fort.According to the initial version given to the police, Ketan slipped into a gorge while taking photographs and died in what appeared to be a tragic accident. There was little to immediately suggest foul play.However, investigators later concluded that the fall was not an accident. Police now allege that Ketan was pushed off the cliff as part of a planned conspiracy.
- The investigation takes a dramatic turn
Routine questioning of family members and friends soon raised red flags.Police learnt that Siya was allegedly in a relationship with 22-year-old Chetan Chaudhary even after getting engaged to Ketan.Technical evidence, witness statements and phone records prompted investigators to treat the case as a murder instead of an accidental death.Within days, Siya and Chetan were arrested on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy.
Cops join the dots
- Police allege months of planning
During the investigation, police claimed the alleged conspiracy had been in the making for months.According to investigators, Siya and Chetan had remained in constant touch, exchanging nearly 2,000 phone calls while continuing their relationship in secret.Police also alleged the duo met frequently and had discussed ways to eliminate Ketan before finally executing the plan.
- The failed attempts before Lohagad
The probe then uncovered what police described as multiple unsuccessful attempts to kill Ketan.Investigators claimed the accused had earlier tried to target him during another visit to Lohagad Fort.Police also began examining whether a planned Bali trip and an incident in which Ketan’s passport was allegedly torn up were part of earlier efforts to isolate or eliminate him.According to police, the June 18 trek was allegedly the fourth and successful attempt.
3 attempts at fort earlier
- Love, family pressure and an arranged marriage
As interrogation progressed, investigators shifted focus to the motive.Police said Siya wanted to marry Chetan, but her family allegedly rejected the relationship because of financial differences and instead arranged her marriage with Ketan, whose family was financially well-off.According to investigators, Siya later told police that “killing Ketan was easier than confronting my family” about her unwillingness to marry him.Police also claimed she feared bringing disrepute to her family by calling off the wedding or eloping with Chetan.
- Interrogation throws up fresh twists
As questioning continued, new claims kept emerging.Police said Siya and Chetan began blaming each other for masterminding the conspiracy.Each accused the other of taking the lead in planning Ketan’s murder.Investigators also said deleted chats between the two have been sent for forensic examination to reconstruct the planning behind the alleged crime.
- The ‘wig’ remark and other revelations
During custodial interrogation, police claimed Siya cited several personal reasons for not wanting to marry Ketan, including that he wore a wig.The remark triggered widespread debate after Ketan’s family rejected it as an absurd justification for the alleged crime.Investigators have maintained that the murder was the result of a larger conspiracy rather than a single grievance.
- Focus shifts to Siya’s family
The investigation has now widened beyond the two arrested accused.Police questioned Siya’s brother for several hours before summoning her parents and brother again to record their statements.Investigators are examining when the family learnt about Siya’s relationship with Chetan, the circumstances in which her marriage with Ketan was fixed and whether anyone else had prior knowledge of the alleged conspiracy.Police have also said they are verifying claims that the family first discovered Siya and Chetan’s relationship during a cricket match before deciding to proceed with the alliance with Ketan.With the questioning of Siya’s family, forensic examination of deleted digital evidence and conflicting statements by the two accused, the investigation continues to gather pace.Police maintain that the alleged conspiracy was planned over several months, while further evidence is being collected to establish the sequence of events and determine whether anyone else had knowledge of the alleged plot.The investigation has also triggered public outrage, with residents of Pune’s Lodha Belmondo township recently holding a candlelight march seeking justice for Ketan Agarwal.Videos from the march showed residents carrying candles and placards reading “Justice for Ketan”, while raising slogans demanding strict action against the accused.
