Pune police are investigating the death of a 26-year-old [1] trekker as a murder after he fell into a gorge at Lohagad Fort.
The shift in the investigation marks a transition from a tragic accident to a criminal case involving potential betrayal by those closest to the victim. This reclassification follows the discovery of evidence that contradicts initial witness accounts.
Ketan Agarwal died after falling into a gorge in Maval tehsil, Pune district, Maharashtra [1, 2]. The incident originally appeared to be an accident where Agarwal slipped and fell, but police have since reopened the case [3, 4]. Authorities now treat the death as a murder [3, 4].
Police have detained two suspects: Agarwal's fiancée and her close male friend [4]. Investigators said inconsistencies between the witness statements and technical evidence point to foul play [2, 4]. The probe is focusing on whether the two suspects pushed Agarwal into the gorge [4].
The incident occurred last week, according to reports from the region [2]. The investigation is currently centered on the Lohagad Fort area, a popular trekking destination in the Pune district [1, 2].
Police have not yet released the specific technical evidence that led to the change in the case status. However, the detention of the fiancée and her friend indicates a high level of suspicion regarding their roles in the event [4].
“Police now treat the death as a murder”
The reclassification of this case from an accidental fall to a murder investigation highlights the role of forensic and technical evidence in challenging eyewitness testimony. By detaining the victim's inner circle, police are signaling that the proximity of the suspects to the victim is a primary lead in establishing a motive for the crime.
