Pune fort murder: Court extends police custody of Siya Goyal, lover Chetan by 5 days

The two accused were produced before the Vadgaon Maval court after their initial police custody ended on June 29.

They were arrested on June 23, days after Ketan's death, which police now allege was a premeditated murder disguised as an accident.

Police seek more time for probe

Seeking an extension of custody, investigators told the court that several crucial aspects of the investigation are still underway.

Police said they need to recreate the crime scene with both accused present to verify the sequence of events.

They also informed the court that Siya allegedly tore and burnt Ketan Agrawal's passport after the murder, and efforts are ongoing to recover its remains.

Investigators further said Chetan Chaudhary had changed his clothes after the alleged murder and that his movements following the incident still need to be traced.

Police are also examining the phone conversations the two accused allegedly had after Ketan's death.

The court accepted the police's request and granted five more days of custody.

Crime scene recreated at Lohagad Fort

On Saturday, a day before the hearing, police took Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to Lohagad Fort to recreate the alleged murder.

The fort was temporarily closed to visitors to allow investigators to carry out the exercise without disruption.

Police used a dummy during the reconstruction to determine how Ketan was allegedly pushed into the gorge.

What happened at Lohagad Fort?

Ketan Agrawal, a resident of Gahunje in Pune district, was the director and Chief Marketing Officer of his family's real estate firm, Success Group.

On June 18, he was found dead at the bottom of a nearly 400-foot-deep gorge at Lohagad Fort.

His fiancée, Siya Goyal, initially told police that Ketan had slipped and fallen due to strong winds while the couple was visiting the fort.

Based on her statement, an accidental death report was initially registered by Lonavala Rural Police.

However, investigators later concluded that the death had been staged to resemble an accident.

According to police, Siya Goyal was in a relationship with Chetan Chaudhary, a 22-year-old resident of Pune's Kondhwa area.

Investigators allege the two conspired to eliminate Ketan because Chetan viewed him as an obstacle to their relationship.

Police claim Siya lured Ketan to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of an outing, while Chetan arrived separately. The two allegedly pushed Ketan from behind into the gorge, killing him.

Police allege earlier murder attempt

The investigation has also uncovered what police describe as an earlier failed attempt to kill Ketan.

According to investigators, Siya and Ketan first visited Lohagad Fort on May 31. She allegedly tried to persuade him to return on June 4, but the visit did not take place after Ketan's mother objected.

Police allege that during another visit to the fort on June 14, Siya attempted to push Ketan off a cliff.

He reportedly managed to save himself by grabbing onto a bush. When Ketan questioned her, she allegedly claimed she had spotted a snake and was trying to pull him away from danger.

Investigators believe the alleged failed attempt was followed by the fatal attack on June 18, which they say was carefully planned to appear as an accidental fall.