Fiancée, lover held in Pune trader murder

What began as a joyful pre-wedding trek to celebrate a fiancée’s birthday at Pune’s iconic Lohagad Fort has unravelled into one of Maharashtra’s most sensational murder cases.

Police now say that 26-year-old Ketan Vishal Agarwal did not accidentally fall 350 to 400 feet to his death on June 18. Instead, they allege he was pushed by his 20-year-old fiancée, Siya Praveen Goyal, and her alleged lover, 22-year-old Chetan Babulal Chaudhary.

The case was first registered as an accidental death. It has shocked two well-known Pune families and revealed what police say was a carefully planned conspiracy, motivated by a secret relationship and opposition to an arranged marriage.

On Tuesday, Pune Rural Police arrested the fiancée of 26-year-old businessman Ketan Vishal Agarwal and her alleged lover for allegedly pushing him to his death from Lohagad Fort on June 18. At first, police treated his death as an accidental fall while he was taking photographs during a trek, but it is now being investigated as murder.

Police say that Siya Praveen Goyal, 20, and Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, 22, planned to kill Agarwal because she did not want to marry him. Both have been arrested for murder and criminal conspiracy. Police said Agarwal, who was a director in his family’s real estate business and lived in Gahunje, Pune district, went to Lohagad Fort with Goyal and a small group to celebrate her birthday.

Around 10:30 am, he fell nearly 400 feet into a gorge. Goyal told police he slipped while posing for photos near the cliff edge.

Rescue teams recovered his body after a long search. At first, police registered the case as an accidental death. However, Agarwal’s family doubted this explanation, and their concerns led Pune Rural Police to investigate further.

Investigators found inconsistencies in statements and checked phone records, call details, and other technical evidence. They also reviewed the couple’s earlier visits to the fort and a cancelled pre-wedding trip to Bali.

According to police, Goyal was in a relationship. Police say Goyal had been in a relationship with Chaudhary for about a year, even though she was engaged to Agarwal. She reportedly did not want to marry Agarwal. Police described the conspiracy as unfolding in several steps: First, they travelled to Bali for a pre-wedding photo shoot where Agarwal’s passport went missing at Mumbai airport, forcing them to cancel the trip. Police allege Goyal hid or destroyed the passport.

Police say Goyal convinced Agarwal to visit Lohagad Fort several times. On June 14, an earlier attempt to push him reportedly failed when they staged a fake snake scare. On June 18, police allege that Chaudhary was at the fort or called there. As Agarwal and Goyal walked to a secluded spot near the edge, Chaudhary followed. The two then allegedly pushed Agarwal while he was taking photos, making it look like an accident.

Pune Rural Police chief Sandeep Singh Gill said, “Our probe has revealed that Siya and Chetan were in a relationship. Siya was engaged to Ketan, but she did not want to marry him. So she and Chetan hatched a conspiracy. Siya took Ketan to Lohagad Fort on June 18. Chetan was already there. As the two climbed up the hill fort, Chetan followed them. Then he and Siya pushed Ketan off the cliff.”

Both Goyal and Chaudhary were arrested on Tuesday. Police said they have admitted their involvement. The case has now been changed from accidental death to murder, and the investigation is ongoing. Agarwal’s father, Vishal Agarwal, said he was shocked and grieving. He shared that his son went on the trek even though he sensed Goyal’s reluctance, and wondered why she had not just ended the engagement, as it sent shockwaves through Pune’s business community, where the Agarwal family is well known. The wedding preparations, including a reportedly lavish ceremony, had been at an advanced stage.

Lohagad Fort, a popular trekking spot near Lonavala, has seen several accidents due to its cliffs and limited safety barriers. This case may lead to renewed calls for better safety at tourist sites. Police say more arrests are possible as the investigation continues.