Police investigating the alleged murder of a 26-year-old man near Pune have revealed that the two accused initially planned to injure the victim to postpone his upcoming wedding before allegedly deciding to kill him. According to investigators, Siya Goyal, 20, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, 22, are accused of murdering Ketan Agarwal by pushing him into a gorge at Lohagad Fort on June 18. Both accused are currently in judicial custody after being arrested on June 23, following an investigation that police say uncovered a premeditated conspiracy.

According to police, Goyal and Agarwal, both residents of Pune, became engaged in February and were scheduled to marry in November at a ceremony planned in Jaipur. Investigators said the accused initially discussed causing injuries to Agarwal so that the wedding could be delayed. However, during the course of planning, they allegedly concluded that such a plan carried the risk of exposing their relationship and decided instead to eliminate him. Police claim the couple believed the victim's death would permanently remove the obstacle to their relationship.

Investigators further alleged that after the incident at Lohagad Fort, Goyal informed Agarwal's family that he had accidentally slipped while trekking. The explanation initially appeared consistent with an accidental fall, but subsequent inquiries and the collection of evidence led police to suspect foul play. Officials said the investigation uncovered communications and other material that pointed to an alleged conspiracy between the two accused, ultimately resulting in their arrest. Police have continued gathering evidence as part of the ongoing probe.

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The case has drawn widespread attention because of the alleged motive and the sequence of events leading to the victim's death. Police have stated that Goyal was unwilling to elope with Chaudhary because she did not want to bring dishonour to her family, a factor investigators believe influenced the alleged planning of the crime. The matter remains under investigation, and the allegations against the accused will be tested during the judicial process. Both accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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