IBNS-CMEDIA: Police have filed a 5,053-page chargesheet in a Pune court detailing the alleged conspiracy behind the murder of 26-year-old businessman Ketan Agarwal, who died after being pushed from Lohagad Fort on June 18.
Agarwal’s fiancée, Siya Goyal, her lover Chetan Chaudhary and another accused, Ritesh Hange, were arrested in connection with the case.
A person contacted during this stage has since become a witness in the case, investigators said.
The chargesheet alleges that the accused subsequently decided to kill Agarwal themselves.
Murder films, ChatGPT used in planning
Investigators have alleged that the accused watched murder-related films and used ChatGPT while preparing for the crime.
They also allegedly listened to podcasts about avoiding detection by police and researched the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, who was allegedly killed by his wife Sonam during their honeymoon in Meghalaya in May last year.
Why Lohagad Fort was chosen
Police said the accused conducted reconnaissance of several locations around Lonavala before settling on Lohagad Fort.
According to the chargesheet, Goyal and Chaudhary visited Tiger Point and other locations while looking for an isolated spot.
Investigators allege that Lohagad was selected because a woman had died there in a fall in March last year.
The accused allegedly believed Agarwal’s death could similarly be made to appear accidental, possibly as a fall while taking a selfie.
Earlier attempt allegedly failed
The chargesheet alleges that Goyal and Agarwal visited Lohagad on June 14, four days before his death.
Police claim Goyal attempted to push Agarwal off the cliff during that visit, but he managed to grab hold of a tree and survived.
When Agarwal questioned her about the incident, she allegedly told him that she had seen a snake and had tried to protect him.
Investigators also allege that Goyal had insisted on visiting the fort on June 4 because the accused wanted to execute the plan before a scheduled Bali trip.
Passport allegedly destroyed to stop Bali trip
According to the chargesheet, Agarwal and Goyal were travelling for a pre-wedding photoshoot on June 6 when Goyal allegedly tore Agarwal’s passport and discarded it in a café washroom.
Police allege that the move was intended to prevent the planned Bali trip from taking place.
Fake Instagram account used to lure Agarwal
Investigators have also alleged that a fake Instagram account named ‘Mahi’ was created using a photograph of a woman known to the accused.
According to the chargesheet, messages from the account encouraged Agarwal to visit Lohagad on June 18 for what was presented as a surprise birthday plan involving Goyal.
Police said the account was allegedly created as part of a plan by Hange to bring Agarwal to the fort and was deleted after the incident.
How police say Agarwal was killed
On June 18, Chaudhary allegedly reached Lohagad Fort through an exit route and later joined Goyal after receiving a signal from her, according to the chargesheet.
Police allege that Goyal pushed Agarwal from behind when his attention was diverted.
Chaudhary then allegedly kicked Agarwal, causing him to fall from the fort, investigators said.
100-plus witnesses, digital evidence cited
Police have cited statements from more than 100 people, including five eyewitnesses, in the chargesheet.
Investigators have also submitted mobile phone data, WhatsApp chats, photographs, call detail records and technical analysis as evidence.
The allegations contained in the chargesheet will be tested during the judicial proceedings.
