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. A court has remanded them to police custody for seven days.
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. Chetan’s father is also a trader in 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.
Siya Was Unwilling to Marry Ketan, Say Police
According to the police investigation, Siya Goyal’s marriage to Ketan Agarwal had been arranged by their families, and the couple got engaged in February this year. However, investigators claim that Siya was involved in a romantic relationship with Chetan Choudhary and was unwilling to go ahead with the marriage.
Police said frequent arguments had reportedly taken place between Ketan and Siya in the days leading up to the incident. Investigators believe the accused allegedly conspired to kill Ketan about eight days before the crime was carried out.
Couple Had Visited Lohagad Fort Three Times
Police investigations have revealed that Siya and Ketan had visited Lohagad Fort on three separate occasions. The couple visited the fort on June 14 and June 18, besides an earlier visit before that.
Investigators suspect that the earlier visits were part of the alleged conspiracy. However, police believe Siya’s plan could not be executed during those visits, prompting her to take Ketan to the fort again on June 18.
Police further claim that Chetan Choudhary also reached Lohagad Fort on June 18. To avoid suspicion, he allegedly left his mobile phone at his residence in Kondhwa. Investigators also suspect that he disguised himself in an attempt to conceal his identity.
Siya Did Not Want to Go to Mahabaleshwar
According to investigators, Siya’s birthday fell on June 19, a day after the incident. Ketan’s family had planned a trip to Mahabaleshwar to celebrate the occasion.
However, police claim Siya was unwilling to travel to Mahabaleshwar. Investigators believe that this was one of the reasons she allegedly took Ketan to Lohagad Fort on June 18, a day before the planned family trip.
Passport Allegedly Hidden to Avoid Bali Trip
Police are also examining allegations related to a planned pre-wedding photoshoot in Bali during the first week of June.
According to the investigation, Ketan and Siya were scheduled to travel to Bali for the shoot. However, investigators claim Siya did not want to make the trip. Police suspect that she allegedly hid Ketan’s passport before their departure.
The couple reportedly reached Mumbai Airport before Ketan discovered that his passport was missing. As a result, the Bali trip had to be cancelled.
These allegations are currently part of the ongoing investigation, and police are continuing to gather evidence regarding the circumstances leading up to Ketan Agarwal’s death.
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.
