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What started as a birthday trek at one of Maharashtra’s most scenic forts has unravelled into one of 2026’s most shocking and chilling murder cases — a story of love, betrayal, and cold-blooded conspiracy.
The “Accident” That Wasn’t
On June 18, 2026, 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal, son of a prominent Pune construction businessman, visited Lohagad Fort near Lonavala with his fiancée, Siya Goyal, to celebrate her birthday.
Siya later told authorities that Ketan had slipped and fallen into a deep gorge while taking photographs. It seemed like a tragic accident. But police weren’t convinced.
The CCTV Clue That Changed Everything
Investigators reviewing footage from the fort’s ticket counter spotted something suspicious: a man wearing a hoodie at the ticket counter — in 33°C June heat.
That man was later identified as Chetan Chaudhary, Siya’s secret lover. CCTV footage revealed he had been following the couple throughout the trek.
As investigators dug deeper, the picture became clear:
- Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary had conspired to murder Ketan
- Chetan kept his face hidden using the hoodie to avoid identification
- His phone was deliberately left at his office to eliminate location tracking
Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary have been arrested and were remanded to police custody by a Pune court until June 29, 2026.
The Backstory: “Heart Found Its Home”
The cruelty of the case is made all the more chilling by Siya’s own social media posts. Weeks before the murder, she had posted gushing captions about Ketan, writing: “Heart Found Its Home.”
- Ketan and Siya had been engaged in February 2026
- Their wedding was scheduled for November 2026 in Udaipur
- Elaborate preparations were underway, including a palace booking in Jaipur and private aircraft for guests
Yet even as she posted romantic captions, Siya was allegedly planning his death.
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This Was the Second Attempt
Perhaps the most disturbing revelation: this was allegedly not the first attempt on Ketan’s life.
According to his family, a similar attempt occurred at the same location on June 14, 2026 — just four days earlier. Ketan was allegedly pushed near the edge but survived after his fall was broken by a tree. The accused then persuaded him to return to Lohagad on June 18, where the plan was carried out successfully.
Family’s Ignored Red Flags
Ketan’s father told investigators he had noticed warning signs that he dismissed at the time:
- Siya’s constant phone use and secretive behaviour
- Frequent mentions of “Chetan” in conversations
- Unusual insistence on visiting the fort on specific dates
What Happens Next?
Police are continuing to investigate whether anyone else was involved in the conspiracy. The case is being treated as a planned, premeditated murder. Investigators are also probing the couple’s financial motives and the full extent of their relationship timeline.
The case has reignited public debate about the safety of trekking spots, the reliability of CCTV infrastructure, and how justice moves in high-profile crime cases in India.
What’s your take — how did investigators crack this so quickly? Tell us in the comments.
