She Claimed He Slipped While Taking Photos at Lohagad Fort; Police Say It Was Murder
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune/Lonavala, 23rd June 2026: Five days after the 25-year-old son of a builder was believed to have died in an accidental fall at Lohagad Fort, Pune Rural Police have uncovered a chilling murder conspiracy. The victim’s fiancée and her alleged lover were arrested for allegedly luring him to the fort and pushing him into a 400-foot gorge to eliminate him ahead of an arranged marriage.
The deceased has been identified as Ketan Vishal Agarwal (25), a resident of Lodha Belmondo Tower, Gahunje, Maval, who worked at his family’s real estate company, Shubh Developers.
The police have arrested his fiancée, Siya Pravin Goyal (20), a resident of Lilakunj, Kondhwa Road, Bibwewadi, Pune, and her lover, Chetan Babulal Choudhary (22), a resident of Parshwanagar, Kondhwa Budruk.
Staged as a Trekking Accident
The incident originally came to light on June 18, around 1:30 PM, when Ketan Agarwal’s body was recovered from the bushes on the western side of Lohagad Fort. Following the fall, Siya Goyal claimed that Ketan had slipped and plunged into the deep valley while they were sightseeing.
Based on her narrative, an Accidental Death Report (ADR No. 36/2026) was registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at the Lonavala Rural Police Station, based on information provided by a relative, Harsh Kuldeep Agarwal.
Parallel Investigation Ordered
However, the circumstances surrounding the fatal plunge appeared highly suspicious to senior police officials. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Singh Gill took personal interest in the case, thoroughly reviewed the details, and ordered the Local Crime Branch (LCB) to launch a parallel, in-depth investigation. Two special investigative teams were formed immediately to crack the case.
The teams probed multiple angles, including potential property disputes and clandestine love affairs. Technical surveillance and intelligence gathering soon revealed that Siya Goyal was in an active relationship with another youth.
Reflecting on the breakthrough, Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill stated:
“The circumstances surrounding the initial accidental fall report of Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort raised immediate suspicions. To ensure a thorough probe, we deployed two dedicated teams from the Local Crime Branch to run a parallel investigation. Our technical analysis and field intelligence successfully exposed a pre-planned conspiracy. The fiancée, who was unwilling to marry the victim, conspired with her lover to execute this heinous crime. Both accused have been taken into custody and will face the full force of the law.”
Siya is the daughter of a trader from Market Yard. The family had arranged their marriage in Jaipur.
The Deadly Conspiracy
Following these shocking revelations, the victim’s father, Vishal Devichand Agarwal (46), registered a formal complaint. On June 23, the Lonavala Rural Police registered a case of murder and criminal conspiracy (C.R. No. 168/2026) under Sections 103 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Armed with technical leads, the LCB team tracked down the lover, Chetan Babulal Choudhary, in Kondhwa Budruk. Upon interrogation, Choudhary confessed to the entire plot.
According to the police, Siya Goyal’s marriage had been fixed with Ketan Agarwal against her wishes. She did not want to marry Ketan, whom she and Chetan viewed as an obstacle to their relationship. The duo hatched a conspiracy to eliminate him. As planned, Siya lured Ketan to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of a scenic trip. She then secretly summoned Chetan to follow them. Once they reached a secluded, steep edge of the fort, they pushed Ketan into the 400-foot gorge, killing him instantly.
Following Chetan’s confession, the LCB team also arrested Siya Pravin Goyal from her Bibwewadi residence.
The Investigating Team
The swift operation was conducted under the direct guidance of:
SP Sandeep Singh Gill (Pune Rural)
Additional SP Dr. Shubham Kumar (Pune Division)
SDPO Gajanan Tonpe (Lonavala Division)
Deputy SP (Home) Rajendra Mayane (Pune HQ)
The active investigating team was led by Local Crime Branch (LCB) Police Inspector Pramod Shirsagar and Lonavala Rural Police Station Police Inspector Dinesh Tayade, supported by LCB Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Abhijit Sawant and Lonavala Rural Assistant Police Inspector (API) Manoj Pawar. The executing team of police constables and personnel included Santosh Shelke, Tushar Bhoite, Ganesh Holkar, Sanjay Padyal, Ajit Bhujbal, Amol Shedge, Bharat Mohol, Chetan Patil, Ganesh Dhanve, Santosh Bhapkar, Vaibhav Sawant, Ajay Dede, Bhausaheb Pund, Sameer Tangade, and female police constables Nanda Kadam, Sujata Kadam, and Sharyu Birambole. Key assistance was also provided by Lonavala Rural police personnel Jay Pawar, Sagar Dhanve Amol Kasabekar, Sanjay Pandit, Prashant Ture, Pawan Karad, and Sachin Gaikwad.
