Ketan Agarwal was allegedly pushed to his death from a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune by Siya Goyal, 20, and Chetan Chaudhary, 22, on June 18. Both accused remain in police custody until July 3 as the investigation continues.
Police said the rehearsal site is located a short distance from Siya Goyal's residence, "Leela Kunj," in Pune's Market Yard area. Investigators earlier took Siya to her residence, where they recovered the clothes she allegedly wore on the day of the incident. Following the recovery, the police escorted her to the hilltop location where the alleged rehearsal took place.
According to the investigation, the conspiracy to murder Ketan Agarwal was allegedly planned in Lulla Nagar, Sector-37, Pune. A Pune Rural Police official told the Press Trust of India that the investigation established that Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary had rehearsed at an open space near a club in Lulla Nagar to practice pushing Ketan Agarwal off a cliff at Lohagad Fort. During the visit, Siya identified the exact location where the alleged rehearsal was conducted.
As part of the investigation, the Pune Rural Police recreated the crime scene with Siya Goyal on Sunday. During the reconstruction, a dummy was pushed off the cliff in her presence to recreate the sequence of events. Three days later, on Wednesday, investigators conducted a similar crime scene reconstruction with Chetan Chaudhary, taking him to Lohagad Fort and recreating the alleged sequence of events.
The investigation has also entered another crucial phase, with police seeking permission from the court to conduct polygraph examinations on both accused. Investigators intend to record and cross-reference their statements with the results of the examinations, which they believe could provide critical clarity in the ongoing murder investigation.
Earlier findings in the investigation revealed that Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary had searched online for methods to kill Ketan Agarwal. According to the police, the two had visited Lohagad Fort alone before the incident to rehearse the murder. Investigators further stated that they had prepared and practiced responses they intended to give if questioned by the police after the crime. The accused had also planned to disguise themselves during the murder to avoid suspicion.
According to sources, Chetan Chaudhary travelled to Lohagad Fort on a scooter to avoid creating electronic toll records and to reduce the chances of being captured on surveillance cameras. After the incident, he allegedly returned to Pune on the same scooter in an attempt to evade detection. The scooter has since been seized by the police.
Investigators also found that Chetan Chaudhary wore a hooded sweatshirt during the trek to conceal his face. However, police believe the unusual decision to wear the garment despite the temperature being around 33 degrees Celsius ultimately drew attention and became one of the factors that helped investigators identify him.
The investigation has further revealed that Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary had allegedly finalised the murder plan weeks in advance, reportedly by the end of May. With crime scene reconstructions completed, physical evidence recovered, and permission sought for polygraph examinations, investigators continue to examine every aspect of the alleged conspiracy as they work to establish the complete sequence of events surrounding the death of Ketan Agarwal.
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