Lohagad Fort murder: Chetan pushed Ketan, not Siya, crime scene recreation reveals
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Police investigating the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort near Pune, Maharashtra, on Sunday, 28 June conducted a detailed crime scene recreation at the fort, with the accused — the victim's fiancée Siya Goyal — present to reconstruct the sequence of events. The reenactment, attended by senior officers including the Superintendent of Police, reportedly produced a significant new disclosure: it was Siya's associate Chetan, and not Siya herself, who allegedly delivered the fatal push that sent Ketan plunging approximately 300 feet into a deep gorge.
How the Crime Scene Recreation Unfolded
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Lonavala division, Gajanan Tompe confirmed the exercise to reporters. 'Today, according to Siya's description, we recreated the crime scene at the Lohagad Fort. Superintendent of Police and other senior officials were also present during the recreation,' he said.
Police carried a fibre-made dummy to assist in the physical reconstruction. According to officials, Siya disclosed the full alleged conspiracy during the process. The entire reenactment, including Siya's alleged confession, was video-recorded by police for evidentiary purposes.
The Alleged Plan: Distraction, Disguise, and a Fatal Push
According to a senior police officer, the alleged plan assigned specific roles to both accused. Siya was reportedly to walk ahead to a higher point on the fort and pretend to tie her shoelaces. The moment she bent down, Chetan was to approach Ketan from behind and strike. During the reconstruction, it emerged that Chetan allegedly came from behind and suddenly pushed Ketan, causing him to lose his balance and fall roughly 300 feet into the gorge. Ketan reportedly died on the spot.
Investigators further revealed that the two had visited Lohagad Fort alone before the alleged crime to rehearse the murder, and had also prepared and practised answers to questions in case they were apprehended.
Digital Trail and Premeditation
The investigation has surfaced a striking pattern of premeditation. Both Siya and Chetan had reportedly googled ways to kill Ketan Agarwal ahead of the alleged crime. The two had also allegedly planned to disguise themselves during the act to avoid identification.
In a further attempt to cover their tracks, both accused are said to have systematically wiped their entire phone chat history and emptied recycle bins before and after the incident. Their mobile phones have since been sent to a forensic laboratory for retrieval of deleted chat logs, officials confirmed.
Status of the Investigation
DSP Tompe confirmed that Siya Goyal remains an accused in the case and that the investigation is ongoing. 'Siya is currently an accused in this case, and the investigation is ongoing accordingly,' he said. The video recording of the crime scene recreation is expected to form a key part of the evidence before the court.
As the forensic analysis of the recovered mobile phones progresses, investigators are expected to piece together the full digital footprint of the alleged conspiracy — potentially revealing further details about the planning and communication between the two accused.