Investigators allege the duo finalised the murder plan by the end of May after deciding they could not stop Goyal’s arranged marriage due to family pressure.
BY PC Bureau
PUNE: Investigators probing the murder of 26-year-old realtor Ketan Agrawal have uncovered what they describe as a meticulously planned conspiracy, alleging that the two accused spent weeks preparing for the crime, conducted trial runs and researched ways to disguise the killing as an accident before allegedly pushing him off a cliff at Lohagad Fort.
Police have arrested Siya Goyal (20), Agrawal’s fiancée, and her alleged boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary (22) in connection with the June 18 murder. According to investigators, the pair allegedly conspired to kill Agrawal after deciding they could not back out of the arranged marriage because of pressure from their families and social circles.
Pune Police recreate Ketan murder scene as chilling ‘murder rehearsal’ claim comes under scrutiny
The crime scene recreation is currently underway at Lohagad Fort, with both accused present as Pune Police reconstruct the sequence of events.
Investigators allege Chetan Chaudhary… pic.twitter.com/CooZrnxvnZ
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Relationship led to alleged conspiracy
Police said Goyal and Chaudhary first met during a Diwali party in October 2025 and soon began a relationship. Around the same period, Goyal’s family introduced her to Agrawal through a matrimonial proposal.
Agrawal, who had recently returned from the United States, was initially accepted as a prospective groom. However, investigators said Goyal later developed second thoughts about the marriage and resumed her relationship with Chaudhary.
Despite expressing her reservations to family members, police believe Goyal felt trapped after the engagement was formalised in February.
Weeks of planning before murder
According to investigators, the accused began planning the murder months in advance. They allegedly searched online for methods to commit a murder while making it appear accidental and finalised their plan by the end of May.
Police further claimed that the duo made an unsuccessful attempt to carry out the crime on June 14. After that failed effort, they allegedly decided that Chaudhary would accompany Goyal during the next attempt to ensure the plan was executed successfully.
Investigators are analysing the accused’s mobile phones and digital communications to trace the planning process and gather additional evidence.
Crime scene recreated
As part of the investigation, Pune Rural Police on Sunday took both accused to Lohagad Fort to recreate the sequence of events.
Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill said investigators reconstructed every stage of the alleged crime, including the route taken to the fort, the movements of the accused, where they positioned themselves and the circumstances under which Agrawal was allegedly pushed from the cliff.
The reconstruction is expected to help investigators corroborate the statements made by the accused and identify any inconsistencies.
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Forensic evidence collected
Police have seized Chaudhary’s motorcycle, which was allegedly used to travel to Lohagad Fort on the day of the incident.
Investigators also recovered a hoodie and headphones allegedly worn by Chaudhary during the crime. The articles have been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether they contain evidence linking the accused to the scene.
Meanwhile, Goyal’s parents, Pravin Goyal and Pooja Goyal, appeared before Lonavala Rural Police for questioning as investigators continued to examine the events leading up to the alleged murder.
Police suspect that Goyal was unwilling to go ahead with the arranged marriage but was unable to withdraw because of family pressure.
Fast-track trial ordered
The Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of a fast-track court to hear the case and appointed senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor.
The decision came after Agrawal’s father met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought a speedy investigation and trial.
The chief minister assured the bereaved family that the accused would face strict legal action and that the case would be prosecuted on priority.
Goyal and Chaudhary, who were arrested on June 23, remain in police custody until June 29 while the investigation continues.
