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