'Killing was easier': Siya Goyal's alleged custodial confession reveals shocking details in Lohagad Fort murder case

The investigation into the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal at Maharashtra's Lohagad Fort has taken a new turn, with Pune police claiming that the prime accused, Siya Goyal, told investigators it was "easier" to kill her fiance than tell her family she did not want to marry him.

According to investigators, Goyal made the statement during custodial interrogation. Police also claimed she said she disliked Agarwal because he wore a wig. When asked why she had not informed her family that she wanted to end the engagement, she allegedly said she did not want to hurt them, according to News18.

Investigators said Goyal told them she believed pushing Agarwal into a gorge at Lohagad Fort was easier than confronting her family and calling off the marriage. Police said they are verifying the statement as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police allege conspiracy with co-accused

Police have further claimed that Goyal had informed Agarwal that she did not wish to marry him, but he refused to end the engagement. Investigators allege she then conspired with her lover and co-accused, Chetan Chaudhary, to kill him.

More from India

Meanwhile, Ketan Agarwal's father, Vishal Agarwal, said his son wore a small hair patch and that Goyal's family had been informed about it before the engagement.

“Wearing a wig cannot be a reason to kill my son," Agarwal told reporters.

Family members questioned during probe

As part of the investigation, Pune Rural Police on Friday questioned Goyal's brother, Sahil Goyal, at the district police headquarters.

Investigators examined whether he was aware of Goyal's relationship with co-accused Chetan Chaudhary and whether he had informed other members of the family.

Police said the investigation has revealed that the Goyal family became aware of Siya Goyal's closeness with Chaudhary during a community cricket tournament in January.

Investigators suspect the difference in the financial status of the two families led Goyal's family to arrange her marriage with Agarwal.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to question family members and associates to establish the sequence of events leading to the alleged murder.

Police outline alleged murder plot

According to police, the accused made several attempts before the alleged murder was carried out.

Investigators said that on May 31, Goyal accompanied Agarwal to Lohagad Fort and identified a secluded location near the Vinchu Kata ridge where the crime could be committed. Another visit planned for June 4 was allegedly cancelled after Agarwal's mother objected.

Police further alleged that on June 14, Goyal attempted to push Agarwal off a cliff, but he survived after grabbing onto a bush. Investigators claim she convinced him the incident was accidental, regained his trust and returned with him to the fort four days later.

According to police, Goyal and Chaudhary allegedly carried out their plan on June 18 by pushing the 25-year-old into a 350-foot-deep gorge at Lohagad Fort in Maharashtra's Maval taluka, killing him.

Investigators also claimed that Goyal discarded Agarwal's passport on June 6 as part of the preparations for the crime.

Police have recorded the statement of an employee at Chaudhary's store, who told investigators that Chaudhary left his own mobile phone behind on the day of the alleged murder and carried the employee's phone to the fort.

CCTV footage from a Pune cafe allegedly shows Goyal and Chaudhary meeting several times between May 31 and June 4. Police are questioning both accused about those meetings as the investigation continues.