The recent arrest of Ritesh Hange, a close associate of Chetan Chaudhary, has introduced new dimensions to the investigation into the alleged murder of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal. Hange, 23, was taken into custody on September 4 and is the third person to be implicated in the case. His initial appearance in court resulted in a remand to police custody until September 12, as authorities continue to gather evidence related to this tragic incident.

Agarwal’s death is believed to have occurred on June 18 at Lohagad Fort when he was reportedly pushed from the heights by Chaudhary and his fiancée, Siya Goyal, both of whom have already been arrested. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police, Sandip Singh Gill, indicated that the investigation has uncovered significant technical evidence suggesting Hange’s collusion in the plot.

Active Participation in Conspiracy Discussed

According to police statements, Hange was not merely an observer of the conspiracy but was intricately involved in discussions regarding the murder plan. It has been revealed that Chaudhary frequently communicated with Hange, keeping him updated about the unfolding situation. Superintendent Gill mentioned that evidence gathered during the investigation, including witness statements and technical tracking, led to Hange’s eventual arrest.

During earlier questioning, Hange allegedly cooperated with authorities, which initially did not raise any red flags. It later became evident that he was implicated in the conspiracy, as further examination of the evidence highlighted his prior knowledge of the plot’s details. Police noted that Hange and Chaudhary were classmates, and Hange was also acquainted with Goyal, which facilitated their interactions.

Law enforcement officials have disclosed that the original plan involved a contract killing, which Hange purportedly knew about. However, it was later reportedly decided by Chaudhary and Goyal to undertake the act themselves, rather than contract an outsider for the job. The suspects had also discussed inflicting serious injuries on Agarwal, in a bid to disrupt his impending marriage to Goyal.

Investigation of Hange’s Presence at Lohagad

While investigators assert that Hange’s involvement has been substantiated through technical evidence, they are still working to confirm whether he was physically present at Lohagad during Agarwal’s fatal incident. There are ongoing examinations to determine if Hange visited the fort prior to the incident or was there on the day of the murder.

Authorities have been actively recording statements from witnesses who were present at Lohagad at that time, hoping to establish a comprehensive timeline of events. It has been reported that after the murder, Chaudhary allegedly contacted Hange to narrate the incident, indicating a potential sequence of communications that could be crucial to the case.

In the course of the investigation, police have reportedly recovered deleted WhatsApp messages, and a forensic analysis of digital evidence is currently underway. Investigators are scrutinising the financial interactions between Hange and Chaudhary, a facet of the case that remains to be thoroughly examined. At this time, no additional individuals have been found to be involved in the conspiracy, but the probe continues into Hange’s movements around Lohagad and the potential involvement of others in this alleged murder plot.

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