What was initially reported as a tragic trekking accident at Pune’s iconic Lohagad Fort has evolved into a shocking pre-planned murder investigation.
The Lonavala Rural Police have arrested 20-year-old Siya Goyal and her lover, Chetan Chaudhary (22), under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly pushing her 26-year-old fiancé, Ketan Agarwal, off a 350-foot cliff to his death.
The First Information Report (FIR) was filed on June 23 by Ketan’s father, Vishal Devichand Agarwal—a prominent real estate businessman from Pimpri-Chinchwad. The document details a series of digital and behavioral red flags that eventually shattered the “accidental slip” theory.
Key Allegations and Timeline inside the FIR
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Erratic Behavior & Forced Trip: The FIR states that Ketan had recently confided in his family about Siya’s sudden mood swings, tantrums, and arguments over minor issues. A major point of contention was a missed trip to Lohagad Fort on June 4, which left her highly agitated.
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The Birthday Pretext: On the night of June 17, Siya placed a WhatsApp call to Ketan. Using her upcoming birthday (June 19) as leverage, she bypassed the initial objections of Ketan’s mother, Rakhi Agarwal, and convinced the family to allow a morning trek to the fort.
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The Incident (June 18): Ketan picked up Siya from the Kiwale bridge on the Pune-Mumbai highway. By 10:45 AM, Siya called Ketan’s mother in a panic, claiming he had lost his balance and fallen into a gorge while posing for a photograph.
How Suspicion Unraveled the Accident Plot
While Siya attempted to mask the crime by posting mourning messages on social media, a combined effort by Ketan’s family and the Pune Rural Police exposed massive inconsistencies:
The Pre-Wedding Red Flags: The FIR reveals that the couple was scheduled to fly to Bali on June 6 for a ₹14-crore destination wedding photoshoot. The trip was abruptly canceled at Mumbai Airport when Ketan’s passport mysteriously vanished. Police investigation later revealed that Siya allegedly stole and tore up his passport in a hotel washroom to avoid the trip.
Previous Murder Attempts Under Investigation
Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Sandeep Singh Gill confirmed that this was not a spur-of-the-moment crime. Interrogations reveal the duo had allegedly planned the murder for weeks because they viewed Ketan as an “obstacle” to their relationship.
The police are currently investigating up to three prior failed attempts on Ketan’s life, including a June 14 trek where Siya allegedly tried to panic Ketan into falling by fabricating a “snake attack” story. Both accused are currently held under a seven-day police custody remand.
