Investigators probing the alleged murder of Ketan Agrawal are set to conduct a forensic gait analysis of co-accused Chetan Chaudhary after reports placed him near Lohagad Fort on the day of the incident. Police will also recreate the crime scene with him as they continue to gather evidence in the case.
The fresh forensic exercise forms part of the investigation by Lonavala Rural Police, which is examining the movements of both accused in connection with Agrawal’s death. The analysis is expected to help investigators compare Chaudhary’s walking pattern with footage in which a person was allegedly seen near the Lohagad gate.
Police to recreate crime scene with Chetan Chaudhary
Officials said a fresh reconstruction of the incident will be carried out at Lohagad Fort with Chaudhary, as only co-accused Siya Goyal has so far participated in a crime scene recreation.
Investigators will also attempt to recover the clothes Chaudhary was allegedly wearing on the day of the incident.
Gait analysis is a forensic technique that studies a person’s walking pattern and is often used to compare suspects captured in CCTV or other video footage.
Earlier, Pune Police had taken Siya Goyal to Lohagad Fort to recreate the sequence of events. A dummy matching the victim’s weight was used during the reconstruction.
Court extends police custody till July 3
Meanwhile, the Vadgaon Maval court has remanded Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to police custody till July 3.
Advocate Vipul Dushing, appearing for Siya Goyal, said the prosecution had sought seven days of police custody. After hearing both sides, the court granted police custody until July 3.
Vehicle, hoodie and headphones recovered
Police have already recovered several items believed to be linked to the investigation.
On Sunday, Lonavala Rural Police seized Chaudhary’s two-wheeler, which investigators suspect was used to travel from Pune to Lohagad Fort. Authorities have also recovered a hoodie and a pair of headphones that he was allegedly wearing on the day of the incident.
According to investigators, Ketan Agrawal died after falling from Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18, following which a case was registered.
Police suspect that prime accused Siya Goyal was unwilling to marry at this stage of her life and was allegedly facing family pressure to marry Agrawal.
Siya Goyal, who was engaged to Agrawal, and Chetan Chaudhary were arrested on June 23. The investigation is continuing.
Following the incident, the Maharashtra government approved the establishment of a fast-track court for the case and appointed senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor.
The decision came after the victim’s father met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Pune and sought speedy justice. The Chief Minister told the family that those responsible would face strict action and that the case would move quickly through the courts.