Why The Ketan Agarwal Murder Accused Allegedly Chose A Scooter Over A Car, According To Police

The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal has moved deeper into the planning behind the crime, with Pune Rural Police claiming that one of the accused avoided using a car to escape a digital trail.

Investigators say co-accused Chetan Chaudhary travelled from Pune to Lohagad Fort on a scooter on June 18 because toll plaza records could have exposed a car journey.

Police have arrested Agarwal's fiancée, Siya Goyal, and Chaudhary, described by investigators as her alleged partner, on charges of conspiring to kill him. Agarwal died after allegedly being pushed into a gorge at Lohagad Fort, a popular hill fort near Lonavala. Both accused remain in police custody as investigators continue to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Scooter ride to Lohagad Fort under police scanner

According to investigators, Chaudhary covered nearly 90 km on a scooter from Pune to Lohagad Fort. Police believe this was not a casual choice of transport. An investigating officer said Chaudhary feared that a car could be traced through toll plaza entries, which often provide location and movement records useful in criminal probes.

"He travelled to the fort on a scooter because he feared a car could be detected at toll plazas. We have seized the scooter," an investigating officer said. The vehicle is now part of the evidence collected by Pune Rural Police, who are examining the route, timing and movements of the accused before and after Agarwal's death.

The alleged use of a scooter is significant because investigators are trying to establish premeditation. In cases where planning is suspected, police often rely on travel records, mobile phone locations, CCTV footage, financial transactions and witness accounts to piece together how the accused reached the crime scene and whether their actions were deliberate.

Police claim identity was concealed at the fort

Investigators have also alleged that Chaudhary tried to make his movements less recognisable after reaching Lohagad Fort. Police said he climbed the fort wearing a hoodie, removed it later and remained in a black T-shirt for some time. He allegedly wore the hoodie again while leaving the spot after the incident.

This detail is being examined alongside other evidence from the fort area. Police are expected to check whether CCTV cameras, tourist videos, mobile phone footage or eyewitnesses can corroborate the clothing change. Such details can help establish whether the accused was trying to avoid identification or blend into the crowd.

Lohagad Fort attracts trekkers, tourists and local visitors, especially during the monsoon season. Its steep slopes, narrow paths and deep edges can make any fall dangerous. Police are now focused on whether the location was chosen because it offered an opportunity to stage the death as an accident or reduce the chances of immediate suspicion.

Alleged signal before fatal fall

Police have claimed that the accused had planned a signal before the alleged attack. According to investigators, Chaudhary followed Agarwal and Goyal while they were at the fort. Goyal was allegedly supposed to sit down, either pretending to drink water or tie her shoelaces, to indicate the moment for Chaudhary to move in.

Investigators believe the signal was chosen so Goyal would not be standing close to Agarwal at the time of the alleged push. Police suspect the accused feared Agarwal could instinctively grab her while falling into the gorge. This claim is now central to the prosecution's argument that the incident was not accidental.

Police have also alleged that the accused had visited Lohagad Fort earlier to identify a suitable spot. Investigators suspect practice runs were carried out before June 18, though they are still trying to establish where those rehearsals took place. That part of the probe is likely to depend on technical evidence and statements gathered during custody.

On Sunday, investigators took Goyal to Lohagad Fort for a crime scene reconstruction. A dummy was used to understand the sequence of movements and the possible mechanics of the fall. Such reconstructions are commonly used to test versions given by accused persons, compare physical possibilities and verify whether witness statements match ground conditions.

The police case now appears to rest on proving intent, preparation and coordinated action. The seized scooter, alleged clothing change, suspected signal, earlier visits and reconstruction exercise may all become important pieces of evidence. However, each claim will need support from material evidence, forensic findings, digital records or legally admissible statements.