'He didn't push Ketan': Family defends accused Chetan Chaudhary in Success Group director death case

As investigators dig deeper into the alleged murder of Success Group director Ketan Vishal Agarwal at Maharashtra's Lohagad Fort, the family of co-accused Chetan Chowdhury has come forward with a starkly different version of events, insisting that he had no role in the incident and is being wrongly blamed.

Chetan Chowdhury, who is currently in police custody along with Ketan's fiancée Siya Goyal, has been accused of participating in a conspiracy that allegedly led to Agarwal's death during a trek at Lohagad Fort on June 18.

However, Chetan's father, Babulal Chowdhury, maintains that his son was merely present at the location and had no involvement in what transpired.

According to Babulal, Chetan had informed his mother that he was stepping out for a meeting but did not reveal where he was going or whom he was meeting. The family claims they were unaware of any connection between Chetan and Siya Goyal before the case surfaced.

"We have never seen the girl in question and know absolutely nothing about her. In fact, I only found out her name, Siya, yesterday; I have never seen her before," Babulal said, adding that his son has consistently denied any role in Agarwal's death.

The accused's father further claimed that Chetan told family members he was standing some distance away when the incident occurred and did not push the victim.

According to the family's account, Siya was closer to Agarwal at the time he fell from the fort. Babulal said his son has repeatedly insisted that he was not involved and is being falsely implicated in the case.

The family also alleged that they received mixed signals from local authorities regarding the nature of the case. Babulal claimed police had initially suggested that the matter was not serious and indicated that Chetan would be released within two hours.

Chetan's uncle, Udayram Chowdhury, also defended him, arguing that public perception is being shaped by incomplete information.

Describing Chetan as a sportsman with no prior complaints or criminal background, Udayram said the family was shocked by the allegations. He claimed that during a brief interaction, Chetan broke down emotionally and told relatives he was innocent.

Police see a planned murder conspiracy

The family's defence stands in sharp contrast to the findings presented so far by Pune Rural Police.

Investigators believe the death was not accidental but the result of a premeditated plan allegedly hatched by Siya Goyal and Chetan Chowdhury.

Police further claim that an earlier attempt to execute the plan may have taken place on June 14. During that visit, investigators allege Siya tried to push Agarwal from the fort but the attempt failed. Authorities claim she later dismissed the incident as an accident caused by panic after spotting a snake.

The investigation has also revealed that Siya and Chetan allegedly developed a close relationship after meeting at a Diwali gathering last year and remained in regular contact for months.

According to police, the two allegedly met at a cafe before the incident, discussed plans to eliminate Agarwal and identified potential locations on the fort from where he could be pushed.

Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chowdhury remain in police custody until June 29 as investigators continue to examine evidence, communication records and the sequence of events leading up to Agarwal's death.

With ANI inputs