What was supposed to be the run-up to an extravagant wedding has turned into a chilling murder investigation in Maharashtra. Ketan Agarwal, son of a prominent businessman from the Pune region, died after falling into a valley near Lohagad Fort — and police now allege his death was not an accident but a planned killing involving his fiancée and another man.

Ketan had gone to Lohagad on June 18 along with his fiancée, Siya Goyal, to celebrate her birthday. According to the initial version given to police, he lost his balance and slipped into the gorge while the couple was taking photographs near the edge. Rescue teams later recovered his body after a lengthy operation.

But as investigators examined the case, that explanation reportedly began to unravel. Police said phone records, digital evidence and witness accounts raised doubts about the accident theory, prompting a deeper probe into the circumstances surrounding Ketan’s death.

Investigators now suspect that Siya and a man identified as Chetan Chaudhry conspired to kill Ketan. According to police, Chetan was allegedly present near the scene, and both accused have been taken into custody. Officers are also looking into whether anyone else may have helped them carry out the crime.

The case has stunned both families, especially because preparations for Ketan’s wedding were already in full swing. The marriage was scheduled for November, and relatives said the celebrations were set to be held in Rajasthan on a grand scale. Sources told investigators that a palace venue had been booked for around Rs 17 crore, while private aircraft had also been arranged to transport guests for the festivities.

Police believe the motive may have been rooted in Siya’s relationship with Chetan. According to investigators, she was unwilling to go ahead with the marriage and allegedly plotted with him to eliminate Ketan. Officers claim the birthday trek to Lohagad was part of that plan, and that Ketan was pushed into the valley when the pair found an opportunity.

Senior police officials said the inquiry is still underway and that all angles are being examined, including the possibility of wider involvement. A formal case has been registered, and investigators are continuing to piece together the sequence of events that turned a pre-wedding celebration into a murder probe.