Ketan Agarwal murder case: Probe expands as co-accused Chetan’s classmate comes under scanner

Pune: The probe into the murder of 26-year-old Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal has widened with the emergence of a new suspect. Investigating officials have identified a young man, a classmate of co-accused Chetan Chaudhary (22), who allegedly had prior knowledge of the plot to kill Agarwal.

According to the police, the prime accused—Agarwal's fiancee Siya Goyal (20) and her alleged partner Chetan Chaudhary—had discussed their murder plan with this classmate before executing it. Authorities are currently evaluating his level of involvement as the investigation continues to unfold.

Agarwal was allegedly pushed to his death from a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune.

Court hearing and custody extension

The police custody of Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary expires on Friday, and both are scheduled to be produced before the Vadgaon Court at 3.00 pm. The Lonavala Police are expected to request an extension of their remand. Furthermore, investigators will seek the court's approval to subject both the accused to polygraph (lie-detection) tests, a move seen as vital to directing the next phase of the high-profile probe.

Crime scene reconstruction and evidence gathering

On Thursday, investigators took Siya Goyal to her residence to seize documents, a mobile phone and the clothes she allegedly wore at the time of the crime.

She was subsequently taken to a cafe in Pune’s Lullanagar neighborhood, where the conspiracy was reportedly hatched. Police recorded her statement on-site and inspected the location to verify electronic and circumstantial evidence.

Motive and meticulous planning

Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal were engaged to be married this November in a match arranged by their families. However, investigators allege that Chetan was resentful of the engagement, viewing Agarwal as an obstacle to his relationship with Siya. This reportedly motivated the duo to eliminate him.

Digital forensic analysis revealed that the pair had searched online for methods to kill Agarwal. According to the police, the two had also conducted a dry run by visiting Lohagad Fort alone prior to the murder to rehearse the execution. They had even prepared and practiced fabricated alibis to mislead the police during interrogation.

Previous murder attempt revealed

The investigation has also uncovered a failed attempt on Agarwal's life on June 14 at the same fort. Police state that Siya had allegedly tried to push him off the cliff on that day, but Agarwal survived by clinging to bushes on the cliffside. To cover her tracks and reassure a shaken Agarwal, Siya reportedly feigned panic by claiming she had spotted a snake.