Two suspects have begun accusing each other of planning and executing the murder of Ketan Agarwal at Lohagad Fort near Pune [1, 2].
The case reveals a complex web of conspiracy involving a failed elopement and a disputed engagement, highlighting the premeditated nature of the crime.
Ketan Agarwal died on June 18, 2026, after being pushed from the fort [4]. Investigators said the killing followed three previous failed attempts to murder Agarwal [3]. The suspects, Siya Goyal and Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, allegedly coordinated the attack after Goyal withdrew from a plan to elope due to concerns over her family's social reputation [1, 5].
Police records indicate an intense level of communication between the two suspects. Goyal and Chaudhary exchanged 2,004 phone calls [1], totaling 238 hours of conversation [1]. This digital trail supports the theory that the pair operated in tandem to eliminate Agarwal.
During interrogations, the suspects have shifted blame regarding who delivered the final push. However, Goyal said, "We planned it together" [2]. The motive appears linked to Agarwal's refusal to end his engagement to Goyal, despite her stating, "I didn’t want to marry him" [5].
Evidence from the scene further corroborates the suspects' state of mind. A security guard said Goyal's first words after the killing were, "I don’t want to marry him" [1]. CCTV footage also showed the group meeting at a cafe before traveling to the fort, suggesting the trip was a lure for the victim [3].
The investigation continues as authorities determine the exact roles of Goyal and Chaudhary in the conspiracy and the physical act of the murder.
“"We planned it together"”
The shift in testimony between the suspects suggests a strategy to minimize individual culpability as the evidence of premeditation grows. The high volume of communication and the existence of three prior attempts indicate a calculated plot rather than a crime of passion, which may lead to more severe charges under Indian law.
