Murder Conspiracy Uncovered in Lohagad Fort Trekking Incident
Investigation Reveals Chilling Details
CCTV footage of Chetan Chaudhary at Lohagad Fort(Photo: @ians_india/X)
New Delhi, June 24: Initially perceived as a tragic accident during a trek at Lohagad Fort near Pune, the case has evolved into a disturbing murder conspiracy, thanks to critical CCTV evidence. Investigators were alerted by an unusual detail in the footage: a man wearing a hoodie in 33-degree Celsius heat during a strenuous trek.
The death of Ketan Agarwal was first reported as an accidental fall on June 18. However, as detectives reviewed the CCTV footage, they noticed something suspicious.
As per reports, the footage captured Ketan walking alongside his fiancée, Siya Goyal, while a man in shorts and a hoodie trailed them from a distance of 20 to 30 feet. The individual had his face obscured by the hood and was wearing a headset.
Another clip heightened police suspicions. In this footage, Siya abruptly turned to look at the hooded man, who then sat down, seemingly trying to avoid attention.
What caught the investigators' attention was the weather. With temperatures soaring to 33 degrees Celsius, the choice to wear a hoodie during a trek raised red flags, prompting officers to delve deeper into the man's identity.
Technical evidence and digital analysis soon linked Siya to the hooded man, later identified as 22-year-old Chetan Babulal Chaudhary. Investigators matched images from Chetan's social media with the CCTV footage, revealing striking similarities that directed their focus towards him.
Police also grew wary of Siya's behavior following Ketan's death. Observations indicated she exhibited minimal grief, further casting doubt on the accident narrative.
As the investigation unfolded, Ketan's uncle informed authorities that Siya had previously expressed reluctance about their marriage, even suggesting a postponement.
Further scrutiny of call records revealed extensive communication between Siya and Chetan, with over 2,000 phone calls exchanged in the last seven months, totaling nearly 238 hours of conversation.
Ketan, the son of a well-known businessman from Maharashtra, had become engaged to Siya in February, with families planning a grand wedding for November, featuring private jets and palace venues.
However, investigators allege that during these preparations, Siya was already romantically involved with Chetan, whom she met at a business event in 2025. Siya ran a bakery, while Chetan was engaged in the dry fruit business.
According to police, Chetan perceived Ketan as an obstacle to his relationship with Siya, leading them to conspire against him.
Authorities claim Siya lured Ketan to Lohagad Fort under the pretense of a casual outing. Chetan was allegedly summoned to the location later, and together, they are accused of pushing Ketan into a deep gorge, resulting in his death.
The investigation also revealed prior attempts to harm Ketan. Just days before the murder, the couple had planned a pre-wedding photoshoot in Bali, which was canceled after Ketan discovered his passport was missing at Mumbai airport. His father later accused Siya of deliberately hiding the document to thwart the trip.
Moreover, police allege that Siya attempted to harm Ketan at Lohagad Fort on June 14, pushing him near a cliff edge, but he managed to save himself by grabbing onto a bush. To deflect suspicion, she reportedly screamed about a snake and embraced him, feigning concern for his safety.
When that attempt failed, police assert that Siya and Chetan proceeded with their plan on June 18. Investigators also found references to a "Plan C" that the duo allegedly intended to execute if their earlier attempts did not succeed.
Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary have been arrested and charged with murder and criminal conspiracy. They are currently in police custody for seven days as the investigation continues.