Flowers, surprises and a proposal: Inside Ketan Agarwal's final days before Pune murder shock

# News Desk
Screen grab.
Screen grab.

Pune: What began as a tragic trekking accident has turned into one of Maharashtra's most shocking murder investigations, with newly surfaced videos showing businessman Ketan Agarwal celebrating his fiancée's birthday just days before his death.

New details emerging from the Ketan Agarwal murder case have added a heartbreaking dimension to an already shocking investigation. Videos that surfaced after the arrests of Siya Goyal and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, show Agarwal organising an elaborate birthday celebration for his fiancée ahead of her 20th birthday.

According to family members, the 25-year-old businessman spent nearly a month planning the surprise celebrations. The birthday itself was scheduled for June 19, just one day after his death.

One video shows Agarwal presenting Goyal with a bouquet of flowers inside a luxury convertible decorated with floral arrangements. In another clip, the couple can be seen enjoying a romantic evening at a restaurant, where Agarwal goes down on one knee before presenting her with a gift.

Family members said he had also booked around 40 rooms at a luxury resort in Mahabaleshwar for the birthday celebrations.

Wedding plans were already underway

The couple had become engaged in February and were scheduled to marry in November. Their families had reportedly already booked a palace venue in Udaipur for the wedding, while preparations for pre-wedding ceremonies had begun.

Friends and relatives believed the couple were looking forward to building a future together, making the allegations that later emerged even more disturbing.

The videos circulating online capture what are now believed to be some of the final public moments shared by the couple before Agarwal's death.

The emotional Instagram tribute

Following Agarwal's death on June 18, when the incident was still being treated as an accidental fall, Goyal posted an emotional tribute on Instagram.

In the post, she expressed disbelief over his death and wrote about the dreams they had shared before their planned marriage. She also included a Hindi caption that translated to, "My heart knows that you are here. Come back."

The post attracted sympathy at the time but has since come under renewed scrutiny following the murder allegations and arrests.

From accident theory to murder investigation

Agarwal died after falling nearly 400 feet into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Lonavala during what was initially believed to be a trekking accident.

According to the first version of events, he had slipped while taking photographs near the edge of the fort. The incident was initially registered as an accidental death.

However, his family questioned that explanation almost immediately. Relatives argued that Agarwal was familiar with outdoor activities and doubted that such an accident could have occurred in the manner described.

Police uncover an alleged conspiracy

As investigators reviewed call records, CCTV footage, digital evidence and witness statements, several inconsistencies reportedly emerged.

Police now allege that Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary had been involved in a relationship for more than a year and viewed Agarwal as an obstacle to their future together.

Investigators claim the pair conspired to kill him and staged the incident to appear as an accident. Police have also alleged that an earlier attempt to kill Agarwal at the same fort on June 14 was unsuccessful.

According to investigators, both accused have confessed during questioning, though the case remains under investigation and evidence will ultimately be tested in court.

Family's suspicions gain significance

Agarwal's father, Vishal Agarwal, has stated that his son had previously expressed concerns regarding Goyal's behaviour and had raised questions about her relationship with Chaudhary.

Those concerns have now become an important part of the broader investigation as police continue examining digital communications, travel records and other evidence.

A case that has stunned Maharashtra

The transformation of what appeared to be a tragic trekking accident into an alleged murder conspiracy has shocked many across Maharashtra.

The contrast between the romantic birthday celebrations, wedding preparations and the allegations now facing the accused has captured public attention and sparked widespread discussion on social media.

As investigators continue piecing together the events leading up to June 18, the case remains one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in the state.