Lohagad Fort Murder: Accused Siya Goyal’s Parents Demand Harshest Penalty

PUNE — The high-profile investigation into the death of Pune real estate executive Ketan Agarwal took an emotionally charged turn on Thursday. The parents of the primary accused, 19-year-old Siya Goyal, publicly condemned the crime, stating that if their daughter is found guilty of orchestrating the murder, she should face the absolute harshest legal retribution matching the nature of the offense.

The case, which was initially filed by local authorities as an accidental slip during a recreational trek at Lohagad Fort in the Sahyadri mountain range, has transitioned into a severe criminal inquiry. Pune Rural Police now allege that Siya Goyal, alongside her romantic associate Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, intentionally pushed the 26-year-old executive from a 3,300-foot precipice, resulting in his immediate death.

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Parents Express Profound Grief and Shock

Speaking to media representatives, the accused’s mother, Pooja Goyal, expressed deep grief, noting that the tragedy had devastated two families simultaneously. She emphasized that the family had observed zero warning signs or dissatisfaction from Siya regarding the upcoming wedding, which was scheduled to take place this November at a luxury venue in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

“If my daughter is found guilty, then she should be thrown from the same place where Ketan was thrown from,” Pooja Goyal stated, emphasizing her desire for complete accountability.

Key Timeline of the Case Events:
• November 2025: Formal engagement between Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal; parallel relationship begins between Siya and Chetan Chaudhary.
• May 31, 2026: The couple's initial reconnaissance visit to Lohagad Fort.
• June 14, 2026: First alleged push attempt; victim saved by low vegetation; suspect claimed a snake caused the sudden movement.
• June 18, 2026: Fatal incident occurs; initially reported to emergency teams as a trekking mishap.
• June 24, 2026: Joint police interrogation leads to formal confessions and arrests.

Siya’s father, Praveen Goyal, echoed these strong sentiments, describing how closely he had bonded with Agarwal during the pre-wedding preparations, viewing him as a biological son.

Praveen Goyal added that the family had absolutely no knowledge of Chetan Chaudhary’s existence or his interactions with their daughter before the police investigation brought the details to light. He described his daughter as having maintained a completely different persona at home.

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Interrogation Reveals Prior Attempts and Conflicting Motives

The corporate profiles of the individuals involved underscore a sharp contrast between their professional lives and the unfolding criminal case. Ketan Agarwal served as a Director and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for his family’s prominent real estate corporation, Success Group. In contrast, Siya Goyal managed a local commercial bakery, where she met Chaudhary, a wholesale dry fruit merchant, during a corporate networking session last year.

Profiles of the Individuals Involved:
• Ketan Agarwal (Victim): 26 years old; Director & CMO of Success Group (Real Estate).
• Siya Goyal (Accused): 19 years old; Commercial bakery operator.
• Chetan Chaudhary (Accused): Co-conspirator; independent wholesale merchant.

During a rigorous joint interrogation on Wednesday, investigators questioned the two co-accused face-to-face. Sources within the police department indicate that Siya claimed she was highly reluctant to proceed with the arranged marriage and had explicitly communicated her stance to Agarwal. According to her statement to detectives, Agarwal refused to terminate the wedding alliance, citing his family’s significant financial and social influence as a barrier to any attempt to avoid the marriage.

However, forensic tracking and electronic data suggest a high degree of premeditation that extends back several weeks. The prosecution details a pattern of behavior where the suspect repeatedly tried to isolate the victim at the historic heritage site:

• Initial Site Visit (May 31): The couple mapped the basic trails of the fort during an initial excursion.

• Second Attempt Blocked (June 4): A follow-up trip planned by the suspect was canceled after the victim’s mother denied permission.

• First Physical Attempt (June 14): Police report that the suspect attempted to push Agarwal over an unsecured ledge during a Father’s Day trek. Agarwal managed to break his fall by catching onto dense brush. When confronted on the trail, the suspect deflected suspicion by claiming she had spotted a snake and reacted in panic to protect him.

The fatal encounter occurred four days later, on June 18. While the defense maintains that these interrogation statements require deep judicial verification, the Pune Rural Police are consolidating physical data logs, transport surveillance, and clothing forensics—including an unseasonal winter hoodie worn by Chaudhary in high summer temperatures—to construct a comprehensive prosecution framework for the upcoming magistrate hearings.

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FAQ

What first raised police suspicion regarding the accidental fall narrative?

Investigators grew suspicious due to anomalies at the scene and behavioral inconsistencies. Notably, the co-accused, Chetan Chaudhary, was spotted near the high-altitude perimeter wearing an unseasonal, heavy winter hoodie in 33°C heat to mask his identity, which ran completely contrary to standard trekking habits.

What are the next immediate steps in the judicial process?

Both accused individuals remain under active police custody. Investigators are currently matching physical evidence from the cliffside with forensic digital data recovered from the suspects’ personal mobile devices before presenting the final charge sheet to the regional magistrate.

Had the victim’s family noticed any friction between the couple?

According to statements from both families, the relationship appeared perfectly normal during public events. The victim had even volunteered to help manage structural renovations at the Goyal residence, showing deep commitment to the family alignment.

Will security protocols at Lohagad Fort be changed after this incident?

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, any structural modifications require specialized administrative approvals. However, local police and regional tourism boards are discussing adding more warning signage, deploying extra security personnel, and installing cameras at vulnerable lookout points along the Sahyadri trekking paths.