A phone call allegedly made just over half an hour before realtor Ketan Agarwal’s death has emerged as a crucial lead in the Pune Rural Police investigation, with investigators also attempting to recover deleted chats that they believe could help establish an alleged murder conspiracy.
Investigators are relying heavily on digital evidence after forensic analysis of the mobile phones seized from the two accused reportedly uncovered a final conversation and signs that online communications had been erased. Police believe the recovered material could help reconstruct events leading up to Agarwal’s death at Lohagad Fort.
Final phone call under forensic scrutiny
According to police sources, the prime accused, 20-year-old Siya Goyal, spoke to co-accused Chetan Chaudhary around 34 minutes before Agarwal was allegedly pushed from a cliff on June 18.
Investigators are examining the call as a possible final coordination between the accused before the alleged crime. The Pune Rural Police’s technical surveillance team is analysing the conversation as part of the investigation.
According to an NDTV report cited by sources, investigators suspect Goyal used the call to inform Chaudhary about her location at a viewpoint inside Lohagad Fort and allegedly confirmed that no other visitors were nearby.
Deleted chats, voice notes being recovered
Police have also found that months of WhatsApp messages, Instagram conversations and voice notes were allegedly deleted from the accused’s devices.
Cyber forensic experts are attempting to retrieve the erased data. Investigators are expected to compare the recovered material with call detail records, internet IP logs and location history to establish a detailed sequence of events.
Police believe the digital evidence could strengthen the case for premeditated murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigators allege murder plot began months earlier
According to the investigation, Goyal and Agarwal were engaged and were scheduled to marry in November. Police allege Goyal later decided she did not wish to continue with the relationship and conspired with Chaudhary to kill him.
Investigators further claim the alleged conspiracy had been finalised by the end of May. They also suspect the planning began as early as February this year.
During questioning, Goyal’s brother reportedly told investigators that she first met Chaudhary at one of his cricket matches. The two later reconnected through a mutual friend and developed a close relationship.
Police suspect earlier attempt at Lohagad Fort
Investigators also suspect there was an earlier attempt to kill Agarwal on June 14 at the same location.
According to police sources, Goyal allegedly tried to push him from the cliff, but he survived after grabbing onto a bush. She allegedly told him the incident occurred accidentally while reacting to a snake.
Police allege a second attempt was made four days later. Investigators claim Chaudhary followed the couple to Lohagad Fort to ensure Agarwal did not escape.
According to sources, Chaudhary had allegedly asked Goyal to postpone marriage for around three years so he could establish his career. However, Goyal’s wedding with Agarwal had already been fixed for November.
Investigators allege the accused believed Agarwal’s death would delay any discussion of Goyal’s marriage during the family’s mourning period, giving her greater independence while Chaudhary focused on his career.