Fresh revelations have surfaced in the investigation into the murder of 26-year-old Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal, with police sources alleging that his fiancée, Siya Goyal, took nearly Rs 1 crore from him in the name of wedding preparations before transferring the money to her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary.
According to investigators, Goyal, 20, and Chaudhary, 22, had meticulously planned the murder well in advance and allegedly charted out a long-term strategy to avoid suspicion after the crime. The two were arrested for allegedly conspiring to kill Agarwal by pushing him off a cliff at Lohagad Fort on June 18.
According to NDTV, police sources claim that Goyal had sought around Rs 1 crore from Agarwal, claiming it was required for wedding shopping and other marriage-related expenses. Instead of using the money for the wedding, she allegedly handed the entire amount to Chaudhary to help him establish his career and improve his financial condition.
Investigators believe the transfer of funds formed a crucial part of the alleged conspiracy. Since Chaudhary came from a financially modest background, he had reportedly told Goyal that he would need around three years to become financially secure.
The two allegedly agreed that after Agarwal's death, Goyal would remain unmarried for that period to avoid attracting suspicion. Once Chaudhary was financially stable and public attention surrounding the case had subsided, they allegedly planned to marry.
Police suspect the delayed marriage was intended to make the relationship appear unrelated to the crime and eventually gain acceptance from Goyal's family.
The investigation has also uncovered details about how the alleged murder was executed. Officials said Goyal and Chaudhary had agreed on a pre-decided signal before carrying out the attack.
According to investigators, Goyal was instructed to sit down, either on the pretext of drinking water or tying her shoelaces. This action would indicate to Chaudhary that the opportunity had arrived to push Agarwal off the cliff.
Police believe the signal served a dual purpose. Besides alerting Chaudhary, it also ensured that Goyal was positioned at a safe distance from Agarwal, reducing the possibility that he could grab her while falling.
Call Detail Records (CDRs) have further strengthened the investigators' case. Sources said Goyal allegedly spoke to Chaudhary approximately 34 minutes before the incident. Police suspect the conversation was the final confirmation before the alleged murder was carried out.
Investigators have also claimed that the conspiracy had been finalised by the end of May and that an earlier attempt to kill Agarwal was allegedly made on June 14.
During that incident, Agarwal reportedly managed to save himself by holding onto nearby bushes after being pushed. Sources alleged that Goyal later claimed the incident was accidental, saying she had pushed him after being startled by a snake.
Following the failed attempt, investigators believe Chaudhary altered the plan. On June 18, he allegedly followed the couple to Lohagad Fort to ensure that Agarwal would not escape a second time.
Meanwhile, another aspect of the investigation has emerged from the statement of the driver who was hired to take the couple to Mumbai airport for a planned pre-wedding trip to Bali.
Driver Vaibhav Jadhav told investigators that Goyal appeared unwilling to travel and claimed that her brother, Sahil forced her into the vehicle after picking her up from Pune. During the drive to Ravet in Pimpri-Chinchwad, the driver alleged that Goyal and her brother had a heated argument.
According to the driver, the journey later continued to Mumbai airport after Agarwal and several of his family members joined them from the Kiwale Lodha area. The planned Bali trip, however, was cancelled after Agarwal reportedly discovered that his passport was missing upon reaching the airport.
Picture Courtesy: IANS
