Can the way he walks help solve the Ketan Agrawal murder case? Police to use gait analysis

Pune: Lonavala Rural Police will conduct a forensic gait analysis of accused Chetan Chaudhary as part of the investigation into the alleged murder of Ketan Agrawal, in a bid to verify whether he was the person seen walking near the Lohagad Fort gate on the day of the incident.

Investigators said the exercise will compare Chaudhary's walking pattern with footage and eyewitness observations using forensic gait-matching techniques, which are commonly employed to identify suspects captured on CCTV or video recordings.

Police will also carry out a fresh reconstruction of the alleged crime scene at Lohagad Fort with Chaudhary, as only co-accused Siya Goyal has so far participated in a reconstruction exercise.

As part of the ongoing investigation, officers will also attempt to recover the clothes Chaudhary was allegedly wearing on the day of the incident.

When is Gait analysis used?

Gait analysis is a forensic technique used to examine a person's walking pattern to help identify or rule out a suspect, particularly when clearer biometric evidence such as facial features or fingerprints is unavailable. Investigators compare a suspect's gait with footage captured on CCTV or other surveillance videos to look for distinctive movement patterns.

Apart from criminal investigations, gait analysis is also used in civil cases, including medical negligence and personal injury claims, to assess and measure physical impairments or mobility-related injuries.

Court extends police custody

Meanwhile, a court in Vadgaon Maval on Monday remanded both Goyal and Chaudhary to police custody until 3 July.

Advocate Vipul Dushing, representing Goyal, said the prosecution had sought seven days of police custody, but the court granted custody until 3 July after hearing arguments from both sides.

The investigation has also led to the recovery of evidence allegedly linked to Chaudhary. On Sunday, Lonavala Rural Police seized a two-wheeler that they believe was used by him to travel from Pune to Lohagad Fort on the day of the incident.

Police have also recovered a hoodie and a pair of headphones that Chaudhary was allegedly wearing at the time.

Murder investigation continues

Ketan Agrawal died after falling from Lohagad Fort near Pune on 18 June, following which a case was registered. Investigators suspect the death was a planned murder and allege that the prime accused, Siya Goyal, was reluctant to marry Agrawal and was facing pressure from her family to go ahead with the marriage.

Goyal, Agrawal's fiancée, and her friend Chetan Chaudhary were arrested on 23 June and remain in police custody as the investigation continues.

Following the case, the Maharashtra government approved the establishment of a fast-track court and appointed senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor.

The decision came after Agrawal's father met Devendra Fadnavis in Pune and sought a speedy trial. The Chief Minister assured the family that strict action would be taken against the accused and that the case would be expedited.

(ANI)