Bride-to-be held for fiance's murder after fort fall in Maharashtra; Instagram tribute under scanner

Pune Rural Police have arrested 26-year-old Siya Goyal and her alleged lover, Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, in connection with the death of Ketan Vishal Agarwal, a real estate businessman from Pune district.

Investigators claim the duo conspired to murder Agarwal by pushing him into a 400-foot gorge at Lohagad Fort on June 18.

Instagram post now part of probe

Following Agarwal's death, Goyal posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing grief over losing her fiancé just months before their scheduled November wedding.

The post, which included videos of the couple and a heartfelt message asking why he had "left" her, is now part of the police investigation.

According to the post, Goyal wrote: "You left me on my birthday. You left when we were so close to getting married. I still can't understand why you did this to me. I had dreams, questions I'll never get answers to. Why did you leave me when I loved you so much? Rest in peace."

Accident theory gives way to suspicion

According to police, Goyal initially told authorities that Agarwal had slipped and fallen from the fort amid strong winds while the couple was on an outing. An accidental death report was registered at the time.

However, investigators later uncovered inconsistencies in her account.

Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill said the circumstances surrounding the death appeared suspicious, prompting a deeper probe.

Wedding preparations were underway

Police found that Agarwal and Goyal were engaged and set to marry later this year.

Their families had reportedly made extensive wedding preparations, including booking a palace in Udaipur for the grand ceremony.

Investigators allege that Goyal was also in a relationship with Chaudhary, 22, and was unwilling to marry Agarwal despite the wedding plans.

Police allege murder conspiracy

According to police, Chaudhary viewed Agarwal as an obstacle to his relationship with Goyal. Investigators claim the two conspired to kill him.

Police allege that Goyal lured Agarwal to Lohagad Fort under the guise of a casual trip and later called Chaudhary to the spot.

The two allegedly pushed Agarwal from behind into the gorge and then attempted to portray the death as an accident.

Arrests and charges

The arrests were made after Chaudhary was detained by the local crime branch and allegedly provided information that helped unravel the case.

A murder and criminal conspiracy case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint filed by Agarwal's father, Vishal Agarwal.

Police said the investigation revealed that Goyal considered Agarwal an obstacle to her relationship with Chaudhary and had no intention of going ahead with the marriage.

Historic fort at centre of investigation

Lohagad Fort, where the incident occurred, is a popular trekking destination with historical links to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is among Maharashtra's UNESCO-recognised heritage forts.