Lohagad fort murder: Hoodie in 33°C heat was the CCTV clue that exposed Pune man's killer fiancée

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Lohagad fort murder: Hoodie in 33°C heat was the CCTV clue that exposed Pune man's killer fiancée

Synopsis

A man wearing a hoodie in 33-degree heat during a trek at Lohagad Fort — that single CCTV anomaly unravelled what police say was a premeditated murder. Ketan Agarwal's fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged lover Chetan Chaudhary are accused of pushing him into a gorge, after a first attempt on 14 June reportedly failed. Over 2,000 calls and 238 hours of conversation between the accused sealed the case.

Key Takeaways

Ketan Agarwal died on 18 June at Lohagad Fort near Pune in what initially appeared to be a trekking accident.
CCTV footage showed a man in a hoodie trailing Ketan and his fiancée in 33-degree Celsius heat, raising investigators' suspicions.
The hooded man was identified as Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, 22 , using social media photograph comparisons.
Call records showed Siya Goyal and Chetan had exchanged 2,004 calls over seven months, totalling nearly 238 hours .
Police allege a first murder attempt at the same fort on 14 June failed after Ketan grabbed a bush at a cliff edge.
Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary have been arrested and charged with murder and criminal conspiracy, remanded to 7 days police custody.

Ketan Agarwal, a Pune-based businessman's son, was allegedly murdered at Lohagad Fort on 18 June by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged paramour Chetan Babulal Chaudhary — a conspiracy that investigators say was cracked by a single anomalous detail in CCTV footage: a man wearing a hoodie during a trek in 33-degree Celsius heat. What was initially recorded as an accidental fall has since unravelled into a premeditated killing, with both accused now arrested and remanded to seven days of police custody.

The CCTV Detail That Broke the Case

As investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the fort, they noticed a man trailing Ketan and Siya at a distance of roughly 20 to 30 feet. The individual wore shorts and a hoodie with the hood pulled over his face, and had a headset on — an ensemble that stood out sharply against the sweltering conditions. Police noted that temperatures in the area were approximately 33 degrees Celsius at the time, making the choice of a hoodie during a strenuous trek highly suspicious.

A second clip deepened those suspicions. In the footage, Siya is seen abruptly turning to look back toward the hooded figure, at which point the man immediately sat down — apparently to avoid drawing attention. Investigators interpreted the exchange as a sign of coordinated surveillance between the two.

Using digital analysis and technical evidence, police established a connection between Siya and the hooded individual, later identified as 22-year-old Chetan Babulal Chaudhary. A comparison of photographs from Chetan's social media profiles with the CCTV stills yielded significant similarities, helping investigators narrow their focus.

A Relationship Hidden in Plain Sight

According to police, Siya and Chetan had met at a business event in 2025 and had since been in a romantic relationship. Siya ran a bakery business; Chetan was involved in the dry fruit trade. An examination of their call records revealed that the two had exchanged 2,004 phone calls over seven months, accumulating nearly 238 hours of conversation — a volume that police say was central to establishing their alleged conspiracy.

Investigators also noted that Siya displayed little visible grief following Ketan's death. Separately, Ketan's uncle informed police that Siya had previously expressed reluctance about the marriage, at one point asking whether the wedding could be postponed by a year.

Earlier Alleged Attempts on Ketan's Life

Ketan Agarwal, the son of a prominent Maharashtra businessman, had become engaged to Siya in February. Their families were reportedly planning a lavish wedding for November, said to involve private jets and palace venues. Yet investigators allege that while those preparations were underway, the accused had already begun plotting against him.

According to police, a pre-wedding photoshoot trip to Bali was cancelled after Ketan discovered his passport was missing at Mumbai airport. His father has since alleged that Siya deliberately concealed the document to sabotage the journey.

Police further allege that Siya made a first attempt on Ketan's life at Lohagad Fort on 14 June — four days before his death. According to investigators, she allegedly pushed him near a cliff edge, but he reportedly managed to save himself by grabbing onto a bush. She then allegedly screamed about spotting a snake and embraced him, apparently to deflect suspicion.

The Alleged Murder on 18 June

When that attempt failed, police say the accused proceeded with a second plan on 18 June. Investigators allege that Siya persuaded Ketan to visit the fort under the pretext of a casual outing, while Chetan was allegedly called to the location separately. Together, the two are accused of pushing Ketan into a deep gorge from behind, causing his death. Investigators also reportedly uncovered references to a 'Plan C' that the pair had allegedly prepared in case their earlier efforts failed.

Arrests and What Comes Next

Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Babulal Chaudhary have been arrested and charged with murder and criminal conspiracy. They have been remanded to seven days of police custody as the investigation continues. Police are expected to further examine digital evidence, travel records, and the alleged 'Plan C' as the probe deepens.

Point of View

Social media photographs, CCTV trails — now does much of the investigative heavy lifting that once depended on witnesses. The accused apparently underestimated how much a single behavioural anomaly, a hoodie in summer heat, could unravel a carefully staged accident. What is equally striking is the alleged escalation: a first failed attempt on 14 June, a passport concealed at the airport, and a documented 'Plan C' suggest a degree of premeditation that goes beyond a crime of passion. The prosecution's challenge will be converting circumstantial digital evidence into a conviction that withstands scrutiny in court.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort?
Ketan Agarwal, a businessman's son from Maharashtra, died on 18 June after allegedly being pushed into a deep gorge at Lohagad Fort near Pune. His death was initially recorded as a trekking accident, but a police investigation established it as an alleged murder planned by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged paramour Chetan Babulal Chaudhary.
How did the hoodie CCTV clue help solve the Lohagad murder?
CCTV footage showed a man trailing Ketan and Siya at 20 to 30 feet while wearing a hoodie in 33-degree Celsius heat, which investigators found highly unusual for a summer trek. A second clip showed Siya glancing back at the hooded man, who immediately sat down — a reaction police interpreted as coordinated surveillance. Comparing the footage with social media photographs helped identify the man as Chetan Chaudhary.
Who are Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary?
Siya Goyal was Ketan Agarwal's fiancée; the two had been engaged since February and were reportedly planning a lavish November wedding. Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, 22, is a dry fruit trader whom police allege Siya met at a business event in 2025 and subsequently began a romantic relationship with. Both have been arrested and charged with murder and criminal conspiracy.
Was there an earlier attempt on Ketan Agarwal's life?
Yes, according to police, Siya allegedly pushed Ketan near a cliff edge at Lohagad Fort on 14 June — four days before his death. He reportedly survived by grabbing onto a bush. Police also allege that his passport was deliberately hidden before a Bali trip, and that the accused had prepared a 'Plan C' in case their efforts failed.
What charges have been filed and what is the current status of the case?
Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary have been arrested and charged with murder and criminal conspiracy. They have been remanded to seven days of police custody while investigators continue to examine digital evidence, call records, and the alleged 'Plan C'.
Nation Press
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