What began as a suspected trekking mishap at Pune’s Lohagad Fort has now turned into a chilling murder investigation, with police saying a seemingly minor visual clue — a man in a hoodie on a hot June afternoon — helped expose an alleged plot behind the death of 26-year-old businessman Ketan Agarwal.

The breakthrough came from CCTV footage recorded near the fort’s ticket counter on June 18. Investigators noticed a man, later identified as 22-year-old Chetan Chaudhary, trailing Ketan and his fiancee Siya Goyal. What stood out immediately was his appearance: despite temperatures hovering around 33°C, he was dressed in shorts and a hoodie pulled low enough to obscure his face, with a headset worn over it.

According to police, that unusual detail triggered suspicion in a case that had initially been logged as an accidental death.

How suspicion grew

Ketan had gone to Lohagad Fort with Siya on June 18. Hours later, he plunged nearly 400 feet into a gorge and died. Siya informed the police that he had slipped while posing for photographs near the edge, blaming strong winds for the fall.

But as investigators reviewed the case, the CCTV footage raised questions. Officers also found that the hooded man seen in the video was not openly travelling with the couple, but appeared to be following them from a distance.

The investigation deepened when police discovered that Chaudhary had allegedly left his own mobile phone behind at his workplace that day, while carrying someone else’s phone. His internet services were also reportedly switched off for most of the day, from morning until evening — something investigators believe may have been done to avoid digital tracking.

What police believe happened

As per the police’s reconstruction, Chaudhary joined Siya and Ketan near a dangerous section of the fort where the valley drops steeply. It was there, investigators suspect, that Ketan was pushed into the gorge.

The following day, rescue teams recovered his body from the difficult terrain below.

What began as a case of accidental death soon shifted dramatically after technical evidence and witness accounts were examined more closely.

Call records and digital evidence

Police say they then analysed call detail records and online communication linked to Siya and Chaudhary. According to investigators, the two had been in constant touch, with thousands of calls exchanged over a long period, including several lengthy conversations.

Officials also matched Chaudhary’s social media photos and other images with the hooded individual captured on CCTV, further strengthening their suspicion.

This digital trail, combined with the unusual movements seen in the footage, led police to conclude that Ketan’s death may have been the result of a carefully planned act rather than an accident.

Motive under investigation

Investigators believe the alleged motive was Siya’s relationship with Chaudhary and her reluctance to go ahead with her marriage to Ketan.

Police claim that during questioning, Chaudhary said Siya did not want to break off the engagement and elope, fearing it would bring dishonour to her family. Instead, the two allegedly conspired to eliminate Ketan.

Wedding plans and earlier warning signs

Ketan and Siya had reportedly got engaged in February and were preparing for a lavish wedding in November. However, during the investigation, police said Ketan’s family revealed that Siya had previously shown hesitation about the marriage and had once suggested postponing the wedding by a year.

Family members also told police that Siya had repeatedly insisted on visiting Lohagad Fort with Ketan. Investigators are now examining whether an earlier visit may also have been linked to a prior attempt to harm him.

Police allege that on one earlier trip, Siya may have tried to push Ketan near the cliff, but he managed to save himself. That incident, they claim, was dismissed at the time after she allegedly blamed the scare on a snake.

Case now treated as planned killing

With CCTV footage, call records, phone activity and statements from relatives forming part of the evidence trail, investigators now believe Ketan’s death was not a tragic fall but an alleged murder carried out days before his wedding.

Both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary are currently in police custody, and the investigation is ongoing.