Ketan murder probe: Phone at shop, hoodie on fort; how police tracked Chetan

Investigators say Chetan travelled to Lohagad Fort carrying an employee's phone instead of his own to avoid digital tracking. To verify his whereabouts, police contacted people who had called his number that day. According to investigators, callers confirmed that workers at the shop answered the calls rather than Chetan himself.

In Short

• Ketan's sister raised doubts after questioning Siya Goel following the funeral
• Police found 2,004 calls between Siya and Chetan over six months
• Investigators say Chetan left his phone behind and used another device

An internet blackout lasting nearly 11 hours, a mobile phone allegedly left behind at a shop, and CCTV footage showing a hoodie-clad man on Lohagad Fort are among the key pieces of evidence investigators say helped unravel the alleged conspiracy behind the death of 25-year-old Ketan Agrawal.

According to police sources, the breakthrough came days after Ketan's funeral when his fiance, Siya Goel, visited the victim's family. During the visit, Ketan's sister questioned Siya about the events leading up to his death and reportedly found some of her responses suspicious. The information was subsequently passed on to investigators, prompting a deeper probe into the circumstances surrounding the June 18 incident at Lohagad Fort.

As investigators examined digital records, they allegedly uncovered frequent communication between Siya and Chetan Chaudhary. Police claim the two exchanged 2,004 calls between January and June and spent a cumulative 238 hours speaking over six months.

Investigators then turned their attention to Chetan's activities on the day Ketan died.

WHAT CHETAN DID ON JUNE 18

According to police, Chetan switched off internet services on his phone at around 7 am on June 18. About an hour later, he allegedly left the device at his workplace and instructed employees to answer calls on his behalf, creating the impression that he remained at the shop throughout the day.

Investigators say Chetan travelled to Lohagad Fort carrying an employee's phone instead of his own to avoid digital tracking. To verify his whereabouts, police contacted people who had called his number that day. According to investigators, callers confirmed that workers at the shop answered the calls rather than Chetan himself.

The alleged internet blackout continued until around 5.40 pm, when mobile data on his phone was switched back on. Police believe the prolonged offline period was a deliberate attempt to conceal his movements.

Meanwhile, CCTV footage collected from Lohagad Fort and surrounding areas allegedly captured a man wearing a hoodie moving near Ketan and Siya during the trek. Investigators claim Siya was seen repeatedly looking back towards the individual and making gestures that appeared to draw his attention.

A police team from Lonavala Rural Police Station reviewed the footage on June 21 and began tracking the unidentified man's movements. By comparing CCTV recordings, call records and other digital evidence, investigators say they identified the hoodie-clad individual as Chetan Chaudhary.

Police also analysed the timing of his movements and concluded that the trip to and from the fort was completed in approximately 48 minutes, indicating that he spent only a brief period at the top before leaving.

The investigation further uncovered what police believe was a pattern of planning in the weeks leading up to Ketan's death. Sources claim that after visiting Lohagad Fort on May 31, Siya allegedly pushed for another visit on June 4. While Ketan's family reportedly declined permission, investigators suspect the earlier trip may have helped familiarise her with the location.

Police sources also allege that a pre-wedding shoot planned in Bali on June 6 was cancelled after Ketan's passport went missing. Investigators suspect the document was deliberately destroyed. Officials further claim that another alleged attempt to harm Ketan on June 14 was unsuccessful.

According to investigators, the alleged plan culminated on June 18 when Ketan was taken to Lohagad Fort. Police claim the evidence gathered so far points to the involvement of both Siya Goel and Chetan Chaudhary in Ketan's death.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to analyse digital evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements.

- Ends