Fresh details have emerged in the murder investigation of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal, with police sources claiming that his fiancée, Siya Goyal, allegedly took around ₹1 crore from him in the name of wedding preparations and later handed the money to her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary.
According to investigators, Agarwal had given the amount for wedding shopping and related expenses. However, sources alleged that Goyal transferred the entire sum to Chaudhary to help him establish his career and business.
Police have arrested Goyal and Chaudhary on charges of conspiring to murder Agarwal by allegedly pushing him off a cliff at Lohagad Fort on June 18.
Investigators further claimed that the accused had planned the crime well in advance and agreed to remain apart for nearly three years after the murder to avoid suspicion. According to police sources, they intended to marry only after the case had faded from public attention and Chaudhary had become financially stable.
The investigation has also revealed that the accused allegedly used a pre-decided signal during the incident. Police said Goyal was to sit down, either to drink water or tie her shoelaces, signalling Chaudhary to allegedly push Agarwal from the cliff while ensuring she remained out of his reach.
Officials said the signal was carefully planned to prevent Goyal from being pulled into the gorge if Agarwal tried to grab her while falling.
Police further stated that Chaudhary travelled nearly 90 kilometres from Pune to Lohagad Fort on a scooter instead of a car to avoid detection at toll plazas. The scooter has since been seized as part of the investigation.
Call detail records (CDR), according to sources, also indicate that Goyal allegedly spoke to Chaudhary around 34 minutes before the incident, which investigators suspect was the final confirmation before executing the alleged murder plan.
Investigators believe the conspiracy was finalised in late May. Sources further claimed that an earlier attempt to kill Agarwal on June 14 had failed after he managed to save himself by grabbing a bush. Following that incident, Goyal allegedly claimed she had accidentally pushed him after being startled by a snake.
Police said the second attempt on June 18 was allegedly carried out with Chaudhary present at the fort to ensure the plan succeeded. The investigation is ongoing, and further evidence is being examined.
(Agencies)
