The uncle of Chetan Chaudhary, one of the accused in the Ketan Agarwal murder case in Pune, on Friday, 3 July came forward to defend his nephew, asserting that he had never seen Chetan interact closely with any woman and describing him as a sincere, well-mannered young man. The statement came as investigators continue to probe the alleged murder of Pune-based businessman Ketan Agarwal, who was reportedly pushed off a cliff at Lohagad Fort.

Uncle's Defence of the Accused

Udaram Chaudhary, Chetan's uncle, said the family was shocked by the allegations. 'We are hearing many things in the media, but our family knows the reality. Chetan lived in our neighbourhood. I have never seen him sitting in a car with any girl or talking to any girl. Even among our regular customers, no one ever noticed anything like this,' he said.

Udaram further described Chetan as a cheerful and straightforward individual. 'It came as a huge shock to us because Chetan was a very sincere boy. He was simple in nature, always smiling, and friendly with everyone. He was also an excellent cricketer — an outstanding player, and many people would come just to watch him bat because of his powerful shots,' he added.

Family's Long-Standing Ties to Pune

Udaram noted that the Chaudhary family has deep roots in Pune. 'I have been here for the last 15 years, while Chetan's father has been living in Pune for more than 35 years. They run a dry fruits business, and I used to help them whenever needed,' he said. The family's established presence in the city stands in contrast to the serious criminal allegations now surrounding one of its younger members.

What Police Allege

According to police, Ketan Agarwal was allegedly pushed to his death from a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune by his fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary. Investigators claim the accused had searched online for ways to kill Ketan before the incident — pointing to alleged premeditation.

Police further alleged that Siya and Chetan had visited Lohagad Fort prior to the murder to reportedly rehearse the act, and had also prepared scripted responses in case they were questioned by authorities after the crime.

Siya Goyal's Gesture Triggers Backlash

The case drew additional attention after the prime accused, Siya Goyal, was filmed making an obscene gesture at media personnel while being escorted by police from her residence in Pune's Market Yard area on Thursday. Dressed in a black T-shirt with a printed scarf covering her face, she briefly looked at reporters before raising her middle finger at the cameras.

The footage spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing widespread criticism. Many users described her behaviour as deeply insensitive and inappropriate given the gravity of the charges she faces. The incident has added a new dimension to public scrutiny of the case.

Investigation Continues

As the probe deepens, the contrast between the family's portrayal of Chetan Chaudhary as a simple, cricket-loving young man and the police's account of a calculated murder conspiracy will likely be central to the trial ahead. Authorities have not yet indicated when a chargesheet is expected to be filed.