Fresh details have emerged in the murder investigation of Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal, with police claiming that his fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, searched online for ways to kill him before allegedly carrying out the crime at Lohagad Fort near Lonavala on June 18.
According to investigators, the duo’s internet activity, call records and digital communications suggest a pre-planned conspiracy that ultimately led to Agarwal’s death after he was allegedly pushed into a gorge at the popular hill fort. Police said a forensic examination of mobile phones and digital evidence revealed that Goyal and Chaudhary had conducted online searches related to killing methods in the days leading up to the incident.
Investigators also analysed records of 2,004 calls exchanged between the two between January and June this year. The findings showed that the pair spent a combined 238 hours speaking to each other over the six-month period. “The investigation indicates that the murder was planned in advance. Their digital footprint, including internet searches and communication records, forms a crucial part of the evidence,” Pune (Rural) Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill said. According to police, the accused remained in constant contact through regular phone calls, WhatsApp calls and FaceTime conversations, further strengthening suspicions regarding their relationship and the alleged conspiracy.
“The probe has also revealed that on the day of the incident, Goyal and Chaudhary allegedly met at a cafe before heading to Lohagad Fort and discussed the plan to eliminate Agarwal,” Gill added. An investigating officer said police found thousands of calls exchanged between the two over an extended period, including several conversations that lasted for hours.
“The technical analysis established a close connection between the duo and pointed towards a well-thought-out conspiracy,” the officer said. Investigators also discovered that Chaudhary operated a shop in Pune’s Market Yard area, where Goyal’s family business is located.
Police believe the alleged conspiracy was finalised on June 16 and 17. According to investigators, Goyal invited Agarwal to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of celebrating her birthday, while Chaudhary had already reached the location and was waiting nearby. The investigation further revealed what police describe as efforts to avoid detection. Authorities said Chaudhary’s internet connection remained switched off from around 7 am to 5.40 pm on June 18. He allegedly left his personal mobile phone at his shop and carried an employee’s phone to avoid location tracking.
A major breakthrough came through CCTV footage collected from the fort area. Investigators noticed a man wearing a hoodie despite the intense summer heat, allegedly following Agarwal and Goyal shortly before the incident. After examining surveillance footage and comparing it with photographs on social media, police identified the individual as Chaudhary.
Police suspect the motive behind the alleged murder was Goyal’s relationship with Chaudhary and her unwillingness to proceed with her planned marriage to Agarwal. The couple got engaged in February and were scheduled to marry later this year.
Investigators learned that the wedding was planned for November in Udaipur, and a palace had already been booked for the ceremony. During interrogation, police questioned Chaudhary about why the couple had not chosen to run away together instead of allegedly plotting the crime.
According to investigators, Chaudhary stated that Goyal did not want to break off the engagement and elope because she feared it would bring dishonour to her family. Based on CCTV footage, call detail records and digital evidence collected during the investigation, police arrested Goyal and Chaudhary on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. Further investigation in the case is underway.
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