CCTV footage of a man in a hoodie trailing real estate businessman Ketan Agarwal and his fiancée Siya Goyal at Lohagad Fort near Pune helped police unravel what initially appeared to be a trekking accident, officials said.
PUNE: CCTV footage of a man in a hoodie trailing real estate businessman Ketan Agarwal and his fiancée Siya Goyal at Lohagad Fort near Pune helped police unravel what initially appeared to be a trekking accident, officials said.Investigators said the unusual sight of a man wearing a hoodie despite the temperature being around 33 degrees Celsius, along with his suspicious movements, led them to examine the case more closely.Police later identified the hooded man as Chetan Chaudhary, who they allege was in a relationship with Siya.Also read: ‘My heart found its soul’: Before Ketan Agarwal murder, fiancée Siya Goyal’s birthday celebration and Instagram storyIn a dramatic turn of events, police on Tuesday said Ketan, 26, who died after falling from a cliff at the fort on June 18, was allegedly pushed to his death by Siya, 20, and Chetan, 22.The incident was initially registered as an accidental death after Siya told Ketan’s family that he had slipped while trekking.The clue hidden in CCTV footageA police officer involved in the investigation said the breakthrough came after investigators checked CCTV cameras installed near the fort’s ticket counter.“While investigating the case, we stumbled upon certain circumstances surrounding the incident that raised suspicion and prompted a deeper probe. We checked CCTV cameras installed at the ticket counter of the fort, where we spotted Ketan and Siya walking together,” the officer said.During a detailed examination of the footage, police noticed a man walking a few metres behind the couple.“The man was wearing shorts and a hoodie. The front part of the hoodie was pulled so low that his face could not be seen. Additionally, the man was wearing a headset over the hoodie. In another footage clip, we noticed Siya suddenly looking back and, at the same time, the man in the hoodie suddenly sitting down,” the officer said.The police officer said they checked the weather conditions on June 18 and found that the temperature was around 33 degrees Celsius.The unusual clothing raised suspicion, with investigators questioning why someone would wear a hoodie in such heat.Also Read: Days before fatal fall, Ketan Agarwal was at same Lohagad spot: Father says Siya Goyal’s ‘snake’ story hid an earlier attackEngagement, wedding plans and a murder plotKetan, a director and chief marketing officer of family-run real estate firm Success Group, had got engaged to Siya in February.Police said they learnt during the investigation that Siya had earlier expressed doubts about the marriage.Ketan’s uncle told investigators that Siya had once asked whether the wedding could be postponed by a year.Police also said Ketan’s family revealed that Siya had repeatedly insisted that he accompany her to Lohagad Fort.“During inquiries with Ketan’s sister, Sanjana, and other family members, we came to know that Siya had repeatedly persuaded Agarwal to accompany her to Lohagad Fort on multiple occasions before the fatal incident. On May 31, Siya had taken Ketan to Lohagad Fort. She again insisted that he go to Lohagad Fort on June 4. However, Ketan’s mother did not allow him to go there a second time,” the officer said.Also read: ‘Feared bringing disrespect to family by eloping’: Siya Goyal’s lover reveals why she did not call off engagement with Pune realtorThree attempts before the final fallPolice alleged that Siya and Chetan made multiple attempts to kill Ketan before the final incident.The first attempt was allegedly made on May 31, when Siya tried to push him from the cliff, but Ketan survived after holding on to a bush.Ketan’s father Vishal Agarwal told TOI, “On May 31, Goyal attempted to push Ketan off the fort’s cliff. She nearly succeeded, but my son managed to save himself by clutching onto a bush. She masked the incident as an act of rescue, claiming she had pushed Ketan to protect him from a snake before hugging and saving him.”Police said another attempt was prevented on June 4 after Ketan’s mother stopped him from visiting the fort again.Missing passport and cancelled Bali tripPolice said another suspicious incident took place before the couple’s planned Bali pre-wedding photoshoot.The trip, scheduled for June 6, did not happen after Ketan’s passport went missing.Senior inspector Dinesh Tayade of Lonavla Rural police said, “Goyal, her brother, sister and Ketan had kept their documents together in a pouch. During a stop at a mall, Goyal returned alone to the car, claiming she had forgotten her phone. At that time, she might have misplaced Ketan’s passport. We are yet to question her about it.”The family later cancelled the Bali trip.Police said Siya again insisted that Ketan visit Lohagad on June 14, where she allegedly tried to push him again. Investigators said she later raised a false alarm about a snake to make it appear she had saved him.Call records reveal alleged relationshipAs the investigation expanded, police analysed call detail records and digital evidence.According to officers, Siya’s call records showed extensive communication with Chetan.“We found thousands of calls exchanged between the two over an extended period, including several conversations lasting for hours.The technical analysis established a close connection between the duo and pointed towards a well-thought-out conspiracy. We then examined photographs and social media profiles linked to Chaudhary. A comparison of those images with CCTV footage from the fort showing a hooded individual in the area helped police narrow their focus on him,” the officer said.Police said teams from Lonavla Rural police and the Local Crime Branch traced Chetan and detained him for questioning.“During interrogation, we connected all the dots, which revealed a premeditated conspiracy involving Siya and Chetan,” the officer said.Why they allegedly chose murder over elopingPolice said the alleged motive appeared to be Siya’s relationship with Chetan and her reluctance to continue with the marriage.“During the interrogation, Chetan was asked why they did not consider running away and instead chose to eliminate Ketan. According to him, Siya was not in favour of calling off the engagement and eloping with Chetan, as she thought doing so would bring disrespect to her family,” the officer said.Both Siya and Chetan have been arrested and booked on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy.‘We never doubted her’: Ketan’s fatherKetan’s father Vishal said the family was devastated and wanted strict action.“We had known Goyal’s family for 35-40 years. We never imagined something like this could happen,” he said.He said the family had initially rejected Siya’s marriage proposal because she was only 20 years old, but agreed after her family insisted.The couple got engaged in February, and Siya became a frequent visitor to their home.“All along, we trusted her. We never doubted anything,” Vishal said.He alleged that more people could be involved and said he would seek action against everyone responsible.“I will approach the SP and demand action against everyone involved. I will also request a fast-track trial,” he said.He also clarified that reports of a grand Jaipur wedding were incorrect.“The wedding was scheduled for year-end. No date had been fixed,” he added.
