Pune Realtor Murder: Siya Goyal used 'sitting down' signal to ensure safe escape, say police

Fresh details have emerged in the murder investigation of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal, with police revealing that accused Siya Goyal's act of sitting down moments before the fatal push at Lohagad Fort was not only a pre-arranged signal for her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary to strike, but also a carefully planned move to protect herself.

According to investigators, Goyal and Chaudhary had agreed that she would sit down under the pretext of drinking water or tying her shoelaces. The gesture was the signal for Chaudhary to push Agarwal into the gorge. Police believe the plan ensured Goyal would remain out of Agarwal's reach during the fall, preventing the possibility of him pulling her down with him.

The police investigation has also uncovered evidence of extensive planning before the June 18 murder. Officials said the accused had previously visited Lohagad Fort to identify a suitable location for the crime and had even conducted a trial run at another spot, which investigators are still trying to identify.

Investigators further revealed that Chaudhary travelled nearly 90 kilometres from Pune to Lohagad Fort on a scooter instead of a car to avoid detection through toll plaza surveillance systems. The scooter used in the journey has been seized as part of the investigation.

Police also found that Chaudhary changed his appearance after reaching the fort. He reportedly climbed the fort wearing a hoodie, removed it before the alleged attack to remain in a black T-shirt, and wore it again while leaving the scene in an apparent attempt to avoid identification.

On Sunday, investigators took Siya Goyal to Lohagad Fort to reconstruct the crime scene. Using a dummy, police recreated the sequence of events to establish the exact manner in which Agarwal was allegedly pushed off the cliff.

Both Goyal and Chaudhary, who have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to murder the 25-year-old realtor, are expected to be produced before a court as their police custody ends. Investigators are likely to seek an extension of their remand to continue questioning.

Meanwhile, police have also recorded the statements of Goyal's parents and brother as they continue to probe the motive, planning and financial aspects of the high-profile murder case.

According to reports, investigators are also examining financial transactions, including allegations that Goyal received around ₹1 crore from Agarwal for wedding-related expenses and allegedly diverted the money to Chaudhary to support his career. Police are verifying these claims as part of the ongoing investigation.