PUNE: A torn passport, a cancelled pre-wedding Bali trip and an alleged objection from her lover over the getaway have emerged as part of the investigation into the death of 26-year-old real estate firm director Ketan Agarwal, Pune Rural Police said on Wednesday.Investigators said Ketan Agarwal’s fiancée Siya Goyal had allegedly sabotaged their planned trip to Bali earlier in June by tearing his passport and throwing it away near the Khalapur toll plaza. Police said Siya later admitted to doing so because Chetan Chaudhary, who police allege was in a relationship with her, opposed the trip.Pune Rural Police said Ketan Agarwal was allegedly pushed to his death from a cliff at Lohagad Fort by Chetan Chaudhary as part of a murder plot allegedly hatched with Siya Goyal. According to deputy superintendent of police Gajanan Tompe, the duo carefully planned the crime before carrying it out on June 18.Police said Chaudhary followed the couple to a secluded cliff near the Vinchu Kata ridge and waited for a pre-arranged signal from Goyal.“The two had agreed that Siya would sit down to indicate the right moment. After receiving the signal, Chetan approached Ketan Agarwal from behind, pushed him off the cliff and fled the spot,” Tompe said.Police said Chetna tried to avoid detection by leaving his mobile phone at his shop in Pune’s Market Yard area and carrying an employee’s phone instead. The employee is currently being questioned.Investigators said the location chosen for the crime was relatively isolated and witnesses were scarce as weekdays typically saw fewer visitors at the fort.Suspicion first arose after Siya Goyal allegedly gave conflicting accounts of the incident. Police said she initially claimed Chetan Agarwal slipped while posing for photographs and later stated he fell while handing her a water bottle. Investigators also found no photographs from the outing on her phone.Call detail records also pointed to a close relationship between Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary. Police said the two, who were allegedly involved in a relationship for around eight months despite Siya’s engagement, exchanged more than 2,000 calls between January and June, speaking for a total of 238 hours.A major breakthrough came through CCTV footage from the foothills of Lohagad Fort, which allegedly showed a hoodie-clad Chetan following the couple. Investigators said footage also captured Siya Goyal signalling to him. Police added that Chetan Chaudhary spent less than 10 minutes at the top of the fort and completed the trek in under 50 minutes.The accused reportedly knew each other through their families’ businesses. While Goyal’s family is involved in the spice trade, Chetan Chaudhary’s family runs a grocery business.Chetan’s family has denied the allegations, claiming they were unaware of any relationship between him and Siya Goyal and insisting he is innocent.Police are continuing their investigation, including whether the accused conducted reconnaissance visits to Lohagad Fort before allegedly executing the murder plan.
