Following Ketan's death on June 18, Siya posted an emotional message on Instagram mourning his loss. Investigators have since included a screenshot of the post as part of their inquiry. In the message, she expressed grief over his sudden death, questioned why he had left her shortly before their marriage, and wrote that her heart knew he was still with her and wished for his return.
The post also contained a video showing Ketan speaking to someone while seated in the front of a car, followed by footage of the couple dancing together, accompanied by a romantic song.
Ketan, a resident of Gahunje in Pune district and a director in his family-run real estate business, had gone to Lohagad Fort with Siya. She initially informed the Lonavala Rural Police that he had slipped and fallen because of strong winds while the couple was visiting the hill fort. Based on her statement, an accidental death report was registered.
However, further investigation by Pune Rural Police uncovered inconsistencies in the account. Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill said the circumstances surrounding the death appeared suspicious, prompting investigators to examine several possible angles.
Police established that Ketan and Siya were engaged and scheduled to marry later this year. Both families had made extensive arrangements, including reserving a palace in the picturesque city of Udaipur in Rajasthan for the wedding celebrations.
Investigators allege that Siya was simultaneously involved in a relationship with 22-year-old Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, a resident of Kondhwa in Pune. According to police, Chaudhary viewed Ketan as an obstacle to his relationship with Siya and was unhappy about the planned marriage.
Police claim that the two conspired to eliminate Ketan. According to investigators, Siya invited him to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of a casual outing and later summoned Chaudhary to the location. The pair allegedly pushed Ketan from behind into the gorge, causing his death, and attempted to present the incident as an accident.
On Tuesday, Pune Rural Police arrested both Siya Goyal and Chetan Babulal Chaudhary. A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy following a complaint filed by Ketan's father, Vishal Agarwal.
The arrests came after the local crime branch detained Chaudhary and obtained information during his interrogation. In a statement quoted by Press Trust of India, police said that the investigation revealed Goyal was involved in a relationship with another man, was unwilling to marry Agarwal, and regarded him as an obstacle to her relationship with Chaudhary.
The alleged murder has drawn widespread attention because of the location where it occurred. Lohagad Fort is historically associated with Maratha Empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is one of the 12 forts in Maharashtra recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort remains a popular destination for trekkers and tourists.
The shocking case has transformed what was initially believed to be a tragic accident into a high-profile murder investigation, exposing allegations of betrayal and conspiracy just months before a lavish wedding that had been meticulously planned by both families.
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