Investigators probing the murder of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal, 26, have uncovered fresh details alleging that his fiancée, Siya Goyal, 20, extracted nearly ₹1 crore from him under the guise of wedding expenses and transferred the entire amount to her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, 22. The two have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to push Agarwal off a cliff at Lohagad Fort on 18 June.

The Money Trail

According to police sources, Goyal told Agarwal the funds were needed for wedding shopping and marriage-related preparations. Instead, she allegedly handed the full amount to Chaudhary to help him establish financial stability. Investigators believe the transfer of funds was a deliberate and integral part of the alleged conspiracy.

Chaudhary reportedly came from a financially modest background and had told Goyal he would need approximately three years to become financially secure. The two allegedly agreed that Goyal would remain unmarried for that period following Agarwal's death — a calculated move, police suspect, to avoid arousing suspicion and to eventually gain acceptance from her family.

How the Murder Was Allegedly Planned

Investigators claim the conspiracy was finalised by the end of May, with an earlier attempt on Agarwal's life reportedly made on 14 June. During that incident, Agarwal allegedly managed to survive by clutching nearby bushes after being pushed. Goyal reportedly told others the incident was accidental, claiming she had pushed him after being startled by a snake.

Following the failed attempt, Chaudhary allegedly altered the plan. On 18 June, he reportedly followed the couple to Lohagad Fort to ensure Agarwal would not escape a second time.

Officials said the two had agreed on a pre-decided signal before executing the act. Goyal was allegedly instructed to sit down — on the pretext of drinking water or tying her shoelaces — to signal to Chaudhary that the moment had arrived. Police believe this also served to position Goyal at a safe distance, reducing the risk of Agarwal grabbing her as he fell.

Call Records Strengthen the Case

Call Detail Records (CDRs) have reportedly bolstered the investigators' case. According to police sources, Goyal allegedly spoke to Chaudhary approximately 34 minutes before the incident — a conversation investigators suspect served as the final confirmation before the alleged murder was carried out.

Driver's Account and the Cancelled Bali Trip

A separate thread in the investigation involves the testimony of driver Vaibhav Jadhav, who was hired to take the couple to Mumbai airport for a pre-wedding trip to Bali. Jadhav told investigators that Goyal appeared reluctant to travel and alleged that her brother, Sahil, forced her into the vehicle after picking her up from Pune. A heated argument between Goyal and her brother reportedly took place during the drive through Ravet in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The journey to the airport continued after Agarwal and several family members joined from the Kiwale Lodha area. The Bali trip was ultimately cancelled after Agarwal reportedly discovered his passport was missing upon reaching the airport.

As the investigation deepens, the emerging details paint a picture of an alleged long-term conspiracy — one that police say was methodical in both its financial and operational dimensions. Further developments are expected as forensic evidence and witness statements are examined.