Love Turned Lethal: Fiancée & Friend Held for Pushing Man Off Lohagad Fort

A Pune court on June 29 extended the police custody of Siya Goyal — fiancée of murder victim Ketan Agarwal — and her friend Chetan Chaudhary until July 3, as investigators seek to uncover the full truth behind a shocking fort-top killing. The duo, arrested for allegedly pushing Ketan into a deep gorge at Lohagad Fort on June 18, had already been remanded to seven-day custody on June 23. What was initially treated as an accidental fall soon unravelled into a premeditated murder conspiracy, prompting Lonavla police to register charges of murder and criminal conspiracy following a complaint by Ketan's father. The prosecution cited the need for further investigation before the court granted the extension.

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Love Turned Lethal: The Lohagad Fort Murder That Shocked Maharashtra

A Day Trip That Turned Into a Crime Scene

On June 18, 2026, Ketan Agarwal, a young man from Pune, set out on what appeared to be a leisure trek to the historic Lohagad Fort in the Sahyadri mountain range near Lonavla. He was accompanied by his fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her close friend, Chetan Chaudhary. The trio was part of what seemed like a routine weekend outing to one of Maharashtra's most popular trekking destinations. By the end of that day, however, Ketan would be dead — found at the bottom of a deep gorge below the fort's ramparts.

Initial reports from the scene described the incident as a tragic accident — a fatal slip from the fort's edge. Lohagad Fort, perched at over 3,400 feet, has narrow pathways and steep drops, making accidental falls a known risk. Authorities initially recorded it as an unintentional death, and the case appeared to be closed before it had truly begun.

Suspicion Grows: From Accident to Murder Conspiracy

But Ketan's father refused to accept the official version. He filed a formal complaint with Lonavla police, raising serious suspicions about the circumstances of his son's death. His persistence triggered a deeper investigation that would unravel a chilling conspiracy.

As investigators re-examined the evidence, the story of an accidental fall began to fall apart. Police sources revealed that the probe pointed strongly toward a premeditated murder conspiracy — that Ketan had been deliberately pushed into the gorge by Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary. Lonavla police subsequently registered a First Information Report (FIR) charging both accused with murder and criminal conspiracy.

Arrests and Initial Custody

Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary were arrested and produced before a Pune court. On June 23, 2026, the court granted the police seven days of custody, allowing investigators to interrogate the accused and gather further evidence. The prosecution argued that continued police custody was essential to establish the full chain of events, recover any material evidence, and understand the motive behind the alleged conspiracy.

Court Extends Custody: July 3 is the Next Key Date

On Monday, June 29, 2026, both accused were again produced before the Pune court as their initial remand period drew to a close. The prosecution once more argued that several aspects of the investigation remained incomplete and that further custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary. The court accepted this argument and extended police custody of Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary until July 3, 2026.

July 3 now becomes the next critical date in the case. Police are expected to either seek a further extension of custody or formally present the chargesheet before the court, depending on how far the investigation has progressed by then.

The Bigger Picture: A Case That Raises Difficult Questions

The Ketan Agarwal murder case has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and beyond. At its core, it is the story of alleged betrayal by two people who were among the closest to the victim — his fiancée and her friend. The case raises unsettling questions about motive: What drove the alleged conspirators to plan such an act? Was there a prior dispute, a financial angle, or a personal conflict that preceded the incident?

Investigators have so far kept the specific details of the evidence and motive close to their chest, but the decision of the court to repeatedly grant police custody suggests that the investigation is complex and ongoing. The case is also a reminder of the importance of not prematurely closing investigations into deaths at tourist and trekking sites, where accidental fall is often the default assumption.

What Happens Next

The case will return to the Pune court on July 3, when the legality of further detention will be evaluated. The police will need to demonstrate tangible investigative progress to justify any additional custody period. Legal observers will also be watching closely to see whether the accused seek bail and how the court responds at that stage. Ketan's family, meanwhile, awaits justice — hoping that the persistence that pushed the investigation forward will ultimately bring the full truth to light.