Lonavala Rural Police are preparing to move court seeking permission to conduct polygraph tests on both accused — Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary — in the murder of Pune-region businessman Ketan Agarwal, after investigators concluded that several critical facts surrounding the crime are still being withheld. The custody of both accused is set to expire on 3 July, after which police are expected to formally file the application.

Where the Investigation Stands

Officials at the Lonavala Rural Police Station say the accused have allegedly concealed important information during questioning. Polygraph examinations, if approved by the court, would be used to verify their statements and fill gaps in the evidence trail.

As part of the ongoing probe, police on Thursday escorted prime accused Siya Goyal to her residence to complete the panchnama — the official documentation of the scene and recovered evidence. The crime scene at Lohagad Fort, near Pune, was reconstructed on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Siya and Chaudhary taken to the fort on separate days under the supervision of more than 25 police personnel.

Gait Analysis and the Hoodie Figure

Investigators carried out a gait analysis of Chetan Chaudhary to determine whether he was the unidentified man in a hoodie seen following Ketan and Siya shortly before the alleged murder on 18 June. Chaudhary was taken to Lohagad Fort at around 7 am on Wednesday for this exercise, a day after Siya had undergone the crime-scene reconstruction at the same location.

What Police Allege Happened

According to police, Siya Goyal and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary are accused of murdering her fiancé Ketan Agarwal by pushing him off a cliff at Lohagad Fort on 18 June. Investigators further allege that on 14 June — four days before the fatal incident — Siya had made an earlier, unsuccessful attempt to push Ketan off the same cliff. According to police, Ketan reportedly saved himself by grabbing onto a bush; Siya allegedly created a diversion by shouting about spotting a snake before embracing him to deflect suspicion.

Ketan's Suspicions and the Family's Reassurances

Ketan Agarwal, the son of a prominent Maharashtra businessman, had reportedly grown suspicious of Siya's alleged relationship with Chaudhary even before their planned wedding. According to police, Ketan had requested his family to conduct a background check on Siya. His father, in his complaint, stated that Ketan had repeatedly expressed concern over Siya's closeness to Chaudhary, noting that she frequently mentioned Chaudhary during their conversations. Family members, however, reassured him, saying Siya's family shared long-standing ties with theirs.

The couple had announced their engagement in February and were scheduled to wed in November. Their families had reportedly booked a palace in Jaipur for nearly ₹17 crore and arranged two private aircraft to fly guests to the wedding.

Police also allege that Siya had deliberately taken Ketan's passport from the car during a stop at a food court, causing a planned family vacation to Bali to be cancelled after Ketan discovered the passport missing upon reaching Mumbai airport. After returning from that aborted trip, Ketan reportedly again asked his father whether a proper background check on Siya had been done, adding that her phone was frequently busy when he tried to reach her.

What Happens Next

With police custody ending on 3 July, investigators are expected to approach the court for polygraph approvals and may also seek a further remand extension depending on the status of the evidence. The outcome of the gait analysis and the panchnama documentation will be critical to the prosecution's case as it takes shape.