Ketan death case: Lohagad Fort closed for visitors as Lonavala police intensify probe

PUNE: Lonavala rural police closed Lohagad Fort to visitors as part of the ongoing investigation into the Ketan Agarwal murder case on Tuesday.Tourists present at the fort were evacuated while police conducted investigative procedures linked to the case, according to news agency ANI.The fort had earlier been temporarily shut when police recreated the crime scene with accused Siya Goyal as part of the investigation.The latest closure comes as investigators prepare to conduct a forensic gait analysis of accused Chetan Chaudhary.Police suspect Chaudhary was seen walking near the Lohagad Fort gate on the day of the incident and will attempt to verify his presence by matching his walking pattern with CCTV and video footage.Gait analysis is a forensic technique used to identify individuals based on their unique walking style captured in visual evidence.Police will also carry out a fresh crime scene reconstruction involving Chaudhary at Lohagad Fort. So far, only a reconstruction involving co-accused Siya Goyal has been conducted.During the exercise, investigators are expected to attempt recovery of the clothes allegedly worn by Chaudhary on the day of the incident.Earlier, Pune Police had taken Siya Goyal to Lohagad Fort to recreate the sequence of events using a dummy matching the victim's weight.Meanwhile, the Vadgaon Maval court on Monday remanded accused Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to police custody till July 3 in connection with the case.Advocate Vipul Dushing, appearing for Siya Goyal, said the prosecution had sought seven days of police custody, but the court granted custody till July 3 after hearing submissions from both sides.The investigation has also led to the recovery of evidence linked to Chaudhary. On Sunday, Lonavala Rural Police seized the accused's two-wheeler, which was allegedly used to travel from Pune to Lohagad Fort on the day of the incident. Police have also recovered the hoodie and headphones he was allegedly wearing at the time.Ketan Agarwal died after falling from Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18, following which a case was registered. Lonavala Rural Police suspect that the prime accused, Siya Goyal, who was engaged to Agarwal, was unwilling to marry at this stage of her life and was allegedly under family pressure to go ahead with the marriage.Siya Goyal and her friend Chetan Chaudhary were arrested on June 23 and remain in police custody as the investigation continues.Following the incident, the Maharashtra government approved the setting up of a fast-track court for the case and appointed senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor.The decision was taken after the victim's father met Devendra Fadnavis in Pune and sought speedy justice. The Chief Minister assured the family that strict action would be taken against the accused and that the case would be fast-tracked.(With Agency Inputs)You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in PuneStay updated with the latest Pune news. Download the TOI App.