Police in Pune are using digital evidence to counter conflicting testimonies from two suspects accused of murdering a real-estate director.
The case highlights the critical role of forensic data in solving violent crimes when suspects provide contradictory accounts of a planned conspiracy.
Ketan Agarwal, 26 [1], died on June 18, 2024 [3], after being pushed from Lohagad Fort near Lonavala in the Pune district [4]. Investigators identified Siya Goyal, 20 [2], the victim's fiancée, and her partner Chetan Chaudhary as the primary suspects in the killing.
According to police, the pair engaged in a pre-meditated plot to kill Agarwal. While the suspects were initially linked through their relationship, they have since shifted blame onto one another. This finger-pointing follows their arrest for the conspiracy behind the death [1].
Law enforcement officials said that mobile location data and CCTV footage have strengthened the prosecution's case. These digital records suggest a coordinated effort to lure the victim to the fort—a location known for its steep drops—to carry out the crime [2].
Investigators are continuing to analyze the digital trail to determine the exact roles Goyal and Chaudhary played in the execution of the murder. The use of location tracking has allowed police to map the movements of the suspects and the victim leading up to the fatal event on June 18, 2024 [3].
“The two accused lovers are now blaming each other.”
The reliance on digital forensics in this case demonstrates a shift in investigative priorities where electronic footprints—such as GPS data and surveillance video—override verbal testimonies. In high-stakes conspiracy cases where co-defendants turn against one another, such objective data becomes the primary tool for establishing a timeline and proving intent in court.
