The investigation into the murder of 26-year-old businessman Ketan Agarwal has taken a significant turn. Bengaluru-based Ritesh Hange, a friend of accused Chetan Chaudhary, has been declared a witness in the case. Police allege that Hange was involved in an initial plan to arrange a contract killing, which was reportedly never executed. This new development emerged from ongoing police inquiries into the crime.

According to the latest information, Chetan and Ritesh met at Engineers Cafe in Pune on September 18, where Chetan purportedly informed Ritesh that Ketan had been killed successfully. This claim has raised questions about the individuals involved and the stages of planning leading up to the murder.

Furthermore, the Pune Rural Police conducted an identification parade last month, where witnesses allegedly identified the accused. This step is crucial as it potentially corroborates the police’s account of the events surrounding the murder.

Planning of the Murder

According to the chargesheet, the conspiracy to kill Ketan was initiated on May 25 by Chetan and his fiancée, Siya Goyal. Reports suggest that Siya conducted an initial reconnaissance of Lohagad on May 31. On June 17, both individuals met at a café to finalise their plan. Allegations state that on the following day, they executed their plan at Lohagad, with Siya reportedly pushing Ketan’s legs from the edge of a cliff while Chetan pushed him from behind.

This version of events indicates a premeditated effort, with authorities asserting that Ketan fell to his death due to a lack of support. The investigators have reconstructed the sequence of actions leading to the fatal incident, which has become a focal point in the case.

After the murder, it is alleged that Chetan proceeded to the old Mumbai-Pune Highway, where he had breakfast before continuing towards Pune. In a premeditated move, both Chetan and Siya are reported to have deleted their WhatsApp conversations before the crime was uncovered.

Additional Evidence and Witness Statements

The police’s investigation has revealed that digital evidence plays a significant role in the case. Authorities recovered chats from Instagram and Snapchat that allegedly contained crucial information. In addition, it was discovered that Siya had damaged a mobile phone prior to the murder. This device had reportedly been used to search for information regarding Ketan’s murder, including inquiries on methods to carry out the act.

The destroyed phone was later found in Siya’s bedroom, suggesting an intent to conceal evidence. This aspect of the investigation raises further questions regarding the lengths to which the accused went to cover their tracks.

The Pune Rural Police have compiled a comprehensive chargesheet consisting of 5,053 pages, including various forms of evidence, witness accounts, and other pertinent materials. Approximately 80 to 85 witnesses have provided statements, with three being present during the crime, solidifying the base for the charges against the accused. Both Chetan and Siya are presently in custody as the investigation unfolds.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share