What was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter in Ketan Agarwal's life has turned into one of Maharashtra's most shocking murder investigations in recent months.
Just days before his death, the 25-year-old businessman was busy planning an elaborate birthday celebration for his fiancée, Siya Goyal. Videos now circulating online show romantic gestures, surprise gifts and moments that family members say reflected Ketan's excitement about their future together. Those same videos have taken on a chilling significance after police arrested Goyal and her alleged boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, in connection with his murder.
A Month of Planning for a Birthday Celebration
According to family members, Ketan had spent weeks preparing for Siya's 20th birthday, which fell on June 19, one day after his death.
Several videos reviewed by media outlets show the couple enjoying what appeared to be carefully planned celebrations. In one clip, Ketan surprises Siya with a bouquet inside a luxury convertible decorated with flowers. In another, he is seen going down on one knee during a dinner outing before presenting her with a gift as friends and family cheer around them.
Relatives have also claimed that Ketan had booked dozens of rooms at a luxury resort in Mahabaleshwar as part of the birthday celebrations. The gestures, they say, reflected how invested he was in the relationship and their upcoming wedding.
Wedding Preparations Were Already Underway
The couple got engaged in February and were scheduled to marry in November. According to family members, preparations for the wedding had already begun, with a palace in Udaipur reportedly booked for the ceremony and related events.
Friends describe Ketan as deeply committed to the relationship and excited about building a future with Siya. The wedding was expected to bring together two families who had already begun making arrangements months in advance.
Investigation Takes a Dramatic Turn
Ketan died on June 18 after falling into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Lonavala. Initially, the incident was treated as an accidental death after it was reported that he had slipped while taking photographs near the edge of the fort.
However, investigators later began examining call records, CCTV footage and digital evidence, leading the probe in a different direction.
Police now allege that Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary, who were allegedly in a relationship, conspired to eliminate Ketan because they viewed him as an obstacle to their future together. Investigators have further alleged that an earlier attempt to harm Ketan at the same location had failed before the incident that ultimately claimed his life.
Both accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to murder and criminal conspiracy. They remain in police custody while the investigation continues.
Instagram Tribute Under Spotlight
One aspect of the case that has particularly drawn public attention is an emotional social media post shared by Siya after Ketan's death, when authorities were still treating the incident as an accident.
In the post, she expressed grief over losing him just before their wedding and on the eve of her birthday. The message, accompanied by photographs and videos of the couple, appeared to mourn his sudden passing.
Following the arrests, screenshots of the tribute have resurfaced online, with many social media users discussing the contrast between the post and the allegations now being investigated by police.
Family Raises Questions
Ketan's father, Vishal Agarwal, has said that his son had previously expressed concerns regarding Siya's behaviour and had spoken about doubts surrounding her association with Chaudhary.
Family members have since demanded strict action and a thorough investigation, arguing that the truth might never have emerged had police not examined digital evidence and communication records more closely.