Ketan Agarwal Murder Case: Deleted Chats Help Pune Rural Police Arrest Third Accused

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 7th September 2026: In a major breakthrough in the high-profile murder of 26-year-old realtor Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort, Pune Rural Police have arrested a third accused, identified as Ritesh Hange (22), for his alleged active involvement in the conspiracy.

Addressing media persons at a press briefing, Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Singh Gill confirmed that Hange—a college friend of prime accused Chetan Chaudhary—was aware of the murder plot from its inception and actively aided the planning.

Conspiracy Hatched From the Beginning
According to SP Gill, Chetan Chaudhary and his alleged lover Siya Goyal (the victim’s fiancée) had been discussing their plans with Hange.

“Ritesh Hange is a college friend of the main accused, Chetan Chaudhary. He was aware of the relationship between Chetan Chaudhary and Siya Goyal and their planning from day one, as Chetan regularly shared his life events and their intentions regarding the victim,” SP Gill stated.

SP Gill revealed that the accused had initially contemplated enlisting a third party to inflict severe bodily harm on Agarwal. “In the beginning, they planned to inflict severe bodily harm on the victim and made efforts to enlist a third person for the job—evidence of which has come before us. Later, they decided against involving an outsider and resolved to execute the crime themselves. Ritesh Hange remained actively involved in that planning as well,” Gill explained.

Reconnaissance and Post-Crime Meeting
Police stated that Hange was kept in the loop regarding reconnaissance trips, potential locations, and logistics. Following the murder on June 18—when Agarwal was allegedly pushed off a cliff at Lohagad Fort—Chetan Chaudhary reportedly summoned Hange to a pre-arranged meeting spot and narrated the entire sequence of events to him.

Cyber Forensics Retained Crucial Evidence
Police initially questioned Hange during the preliminary probe, but his evasive responses raised investigators’ suspicions.

“During interrogation, any accused rarely reveals the full truth. Hange provided incomplete information, which raised our suspicion. We then took the assistance of cyber forensics. A forensic examination allowed us to retrieve deleted chats and messages, revealing strong incriminating evidence that justified his arrest,” the SP said.

Hange has been booked under Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Background and Status of Probe
Providing details on Hange’s profile, SP Gill noted that he is a graduate working in the private sector as a real estate commission agent and has no prior criminal records.

When questioned on the timeline for submitting the chargesheet against the accused, SP Gill stated that it is expected to be filed within the next couple of weeks.

Agarwal was allegedly murdered on June 18 at Lohagad Fort, a case initially reported as an accidental fall. Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary were subsequently arrested after technical surveillance and forensic analysis exposed the premeditated murder plot.