Ketan Agarwal Murder: Fake Instagram Account, Recce and Digital Trail in 5,053-Page Chargesheet

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 19th September 2026: The Pune Rural Police have filed a 5,053-page chargesheet before the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court in Vadgaon Maval in connection with the alleged murder of 26-year-old businessman Ketan Vishal Agarwal at Lohagad Fort.

Agarwal died on June 18 after allegedly being pushed into a gorge at Lohagad in Maval taluka. His fiancée Siya Goyal, her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary and Ritesh Hange have been arrested and named as accused in the case. Police have alleged that the three were involved in a planned conspiracy to kill Agarwal.

According to police, the investigation has uncovered an alleged sequence of planning that included reconnaissance of locations, attempts to cause serious injury, digital research, a fake Instagram account and the eventual plan to lure Agarwal to Lohagad Fort.

Alleged plot began months before murder
According to the chargesheet, the alleged planning began in March 2026, with the final plan being prepared in May. Police have alleged that the accused initially considered causing serious injuries to Agarwal and explored the possibility of involving a person from outside Maharashtra.

The alleged plan was later abandoned over concerns that involving an outsider could create complications if that person was caught. Police have reportedly made a person connected with the earlier plan a witness in the case.

Investigators have further alleged that the accused subsequently decided to carry out the murder themselves.

The chargesheet reportedly states that the accused researched similar crimes and listened to crime-related podcasts while planning the alleged murder. Police have also found online searches concerning the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case in Meghalaya, as well as a previous death at Lohagad.

Lohagad and other locations allegedly surveyed
Police have alleged that Goyal and Chaudhary conducted reconnaissance of locations around Lonavala, including Tiger Point, before Lohagad was selected.

According to the investigation, the accused allegedly considered the nature of the locations, including the availability of CCTV cameras, while deciding where the crime could be carried out.

The chargesheet also reportedly refers to an earlier death of a woman at Lohagad and alleges that the accused considered creating the impression that Agarwal had accidentally fallen while taking photographs.

Police allege earlier attempt on June 14
The chargesheet reportedly states that an earlier attempt was made on June 14, when Goyal and Agarwal visited Lohagad.

Police have alleged that Goyal attempted to push Agarwal from the hill, but he managed to avoid falling. Investigators have also alleged that an attempt was made to frighten him by claiming that there was a snake nearby.

Agarwal was later brought back to Lohagad on June 18, when police allege that the murder was carried out. India Today has separately reported that investigators found evidence suggesting an earlier attempt to push Agarwal on June 14.

Fake ‘Mahi’ Instagram account allegedly used
A key part of the alleged plan involved a fake Instagram account named ‘Mahi’, according to the chargesheet-related police findings.

Police allege that the account was created using a photograph of another woman and was used to contact Agarwal while posing as a friend of Goyal.

According to the investigation, the account was allegedly used to lure Agarwal to Lohagad on June 18 by creating the impression that a surprise birthday celebration for Goyal had been planned there.

Police have alleged that Hange played a role in arranging this communication. Investigators subsequently found digital evidence from mobile phones and other electronic devices, including deleted data and communication records.

Police allege Agarwal was pushed into gorge
According to the police version detailed in the investigation, Chaudhary reached Lohagad separately and positioned himself near a temple before Goyal and Agarwal arrived.

Police allege that Goyal then signalled Chaudhary to come to the location. Investigators have alleged that when Agarwal was not looking, Goyal pushed him from behind while Chaudhary allegedly pushed him from the other side, causing him to fall into the gorge.

The precise sequence of the alleged assault is part of the prosecution case and will be tested during the judicial proceedings.

Digital evidence forms key part of chargesheet
The chargesheet includes WhatsApp chats, photographs, mobile phone data, call detail records (CDRs), CCTV footage, technical analysis reports and witness statements, according to Pune Rural Police.

Investigators examined the mobile phones and other electronic devices associated with the accused. Police have also alleged that some communications were deleted before the incident but that investigators subsequently recovered digital data from devices and social media platforms.

The CDR analysis included the timing, frequency and pattern of calls between the accused. Earlier in the investigation, police had reported thousands of calls between Goyal and Chaudhary.

Online searches cited by police
The chargesheet also refers to Goyal’s alleged online searches about a previous death at Lohagad and searches concerning the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, in which his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi was arrested.

Police have presented these searches as part of the digital evidence collected during the investigation. The findings themselves do not establish guilt independently and will be considered by the court along with the other evidence.

80 to 85 witnesses cited
The police have recorded statements from approximately 80 to 85 witnesses, according to reports based on the chargesheet. Three witnesses are reported to have allegedly seen Goyal and Chaudhary around the time of the incident.

The chargesheet also includes statements from investigating officers, technical and forensic experts and other witnesses, along with medical and post-mortem findings concerning Agarwal’s injuries and death.

Police have also conducted an identification parade during the investigation, with witnesses allegedly identifying the accused, according to police findings reported in connection with the chargesheet.

Chargesheet combines scientific and circumstantial evidence
The investigation has relied on several categories of evidence, including medical and post-mortem reports, CCTV footage, call records, cyber-forensic findings, recovered digital data, witness statements and the alleged movements of the accused.

Police have used these materials to present their version of the sequence of events and the alleged roles of the three accused.

What happens next?
With the chargesheet filed, the court will scrutinise the documents and evidence submitted by the investigating agency. The accused will be entitled to receive the prosecution documents as required under law, after which the case will proceed to the next stages of the judicial process.

Advocate Ram Sahane, representing accused Chetan Chaudhary, has confirmed the filing of the chargesheet. The defence is expected to examine the prosecution’s material and take appropriate legal steps.