Lohagad Fort murder case: Siya's uncle who fixed marriage breaks silence
Synopsis
The man who arranged Siya Goyal's engagement to murder victim Ketan Agarwal has now spoken to police — and says he cannot believe his niece is capable of what investigators allege. As the Lohagad Fort case deepens, the Mittals' testimony adds a human dimension to one of Pune's most shocking alleged conspiracies of 2026.
Key Takeaways
Narendra Mittal and Renu Mittal , maternal uncle and aunt of accused Siya Goyal , recorded statements with police, expressing shock at the allegations.
The Mittals had introduced the Goyal and Agarwal families in January 2026 , leading to Siya and Ketan Agarwal's engagement the following month.
Ketan died on 18 June 2026 after allegedly being pushed into a 400-foot gorge at Lohagad Fort , near Pune.
Investigators allege Siya signalled co-accused Chetan Chaudhary during the trek; both are accused of conspiracy to murder.
Siya's parents, who say they never knew Chaudhary, have stated she should face the harshest punishment if found guilty.
The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal has taken a deeply personal turn, with the maternal uncle and aunt of prime accused Siya Goyal — Narendra Mittal and Renu Mittal — recording their statements before police, expressing disbelief over the allegations against their niece.
The Mittals were instrumental in bringing the Goyal and Agarwal families together, making their testimony a significant development in the ongoing probe.
What the Mittals Told Police
'We never expected Siya could do something like this. Both Siya and Ketan were humble, well-mannered and good-natured,' Narendra Mittal reportedly told investigators. Having known Siya since childhood, Mittal said the family was unable to reconcile the person they knew with the allegations now before the court of law.
Renu Mittal echoed that sentiment. The couple clarified to investigators that their role was limited to facilitating the introduction between the two families and had no further involvement in the relationship's progression.
How the Match Was Arranged
According to police sources, marriage discussions between the two families reportedly began in January 2026, after the Mittals made the initial introductions. Siya Goyal and Ketan Agarwal got engaged the following month, with the wedding scheduled for November 2026.
The engagement appeared, by all outward accounts, to be proceeding smoothly — making the events of 18 June 2026 all the more shocking to those who knew the couple.
What Happened at Lohagad Fort
Ketan Agarwal died on 18 June 2026 after falling from a cliff at Lohagad Fort, near Pune, during a trek with Siya Goyal. The death was initially treated as an accident. However, suspicions raised by Ketan's family prompted a detailed police investigation that dramatically altered the narrative.
Investigators allege that Siya was in a parallel relationship with Chetan Chaudhary and viewed Ketan as an obstacle. According to the probe, during the trek, Siya allegedly signalled Chaudhary, who then allegedly pushed Ketan into a 400-foot gorge, resulting in his death. Both Siya and Chaudhary have been accused of conspiring to carry out the murder.
Alleged Confession and Family Reactions
Police sources claim that during questioning, Siya allegedly confessed she believed killing Ketan was 'easier' than confronting her family and calling off the arranged marriage. Investigators further allege she told them she chose not to cancel the wedding because she did not want to hurt her family's sentiments.
Siya's brother, Sahil Goyal, reportedly told police that she first met Chetan Chaudhary at one of his cricket matches and the two grew close over time. Siya's parents stated they had neither known nor met Chaudhary. They added that if their daughter is found guilty, she should face the harshest punishment permissible under law.
What Comes Next
The police probe is ongoing, with multiple witnesses now on record. The Mittals' statements add a layer of corroborating testimony about the background of the match and Siya's character as known to those close to her. As investigators piece together the sequence of events, the case is expected to move toward formal charges in the coming weeks.
Point of View
However unwittingly. What the case exposes is a fault line in arranged-marriage culture: the social pressure to proceed with a match even when personal circumstances have changed. Investigators allege Siya chose violence over a difficult conversation. If that account holds up in court, it raises uncomfortable questions about how families and communities create space — or fail to — for young people to exit engagements without catastrophic consequences. The police case rests heavily on an alleged confession; its admissibility and corroboration will be the real legal battleground ahead.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Narendra Mittal and Renu Mittal in the Lohagad Fort murder case?
Narendra Mittal and Renu Mittal are the maternal uncle and aunt of accused Siya Goyal. They played a key role in introducing the Goyal and Agarwal families and facilitating the engagement between Siya and murder victim Ketan Agarwal in early 2026.
What happened to Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort?
Ketan Agarwal, a Pune-based realtor, died on 18 June 2026 after falling into a 400-foot gorge at Lohagad Fort during a trek with his fiancée Siya Goyal. What was initially treated as an accident is now being investigated as a murder, with Siya and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary alleged to have conspired to push him.
Who is Chetan Chaudhary and what is his alleged role?
Chetan Chaudhary is a man Siya Goyal allegedly met at a cricket match and with whom she reportedly developed a relationship. Investigators allege that during the Lohagad Fort trek, Siya signalled Chaudhary, who then allegedly pushed Ketan Agarwal into the gorge. Both are accused of conspiracy to murder.
What did Siya Goyal allegedly tell police during questioning?
According to police sources, Siya allegedly confessed that she believed killing Ketan was easier than confronting her family and calling off the arranged marriage. She reportedly told investigators she did not want to hurt her family's sentiments by cancelling the wedding.
What has Siya Goyal's family said about the case?
Siya's parents have stated they had no knowledge of Chetan Chaudhary and had never met him. They have publicly said that if their daughter is found guilty, she should face the harshest punishment permissible under law.
