Lohagad Fort near Lonavala, known for its Maratha-era history and popular monsoon treks, has seen a surge in visitors following the murder of Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal, allegedly by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary.
According to Sachin Tekawade, president of the Lohagad-Visapur Development Forum, tourist numbers have risen significantly over the past five days. While the fort usually attracts history enthusiasts and trekkers, many visitors are now coming specifically to see the cliff from which Ketan was allegedly pushed to his death.
Tekawade said that despite a slow start to the monsoon season and lower-than-usual footfall in June, public interest in the murder case has led to a noticeable increase in visitors. He expressed concern that the fort’s historical importance is being overshadowed by its association with the crime.
Fort workers reported that many tourists frequently ask for directions to the spot linked to the incident, with some even informally referring to it as “Siya Point.”
Visitors from cities including Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik admitted that the case influenced their decision to visit Lohagad. Several said they were curious to see the location that has received widespread media attention.
Situated at an elevation of about 3,389 feet in the Sahyadri range, Lohagad is one of Maharashtra’s most important hill forts and is part of the UNESCO-recognised Maratha Military Landscapes.
Historians trace the fort’s origins to the Satavahana period. Over the centuries, it was controlled by several dynasties before becoming an important stronghold under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It later served as a strategic military post and treasury during the Peshwa era.
However, attention has recently shifted from the fort’s rich historical legacy to the ongoing murder investigation.
Ketan Agarwal, 26, died on June 18 after falling from a 350-foot cliff during a trek at Lohagad Fort. What was initially believed to be an accidental fall later emerged as an alleged murder plot involving his fiancée Siya Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary, who are accused of killing him to avoid the planned marriage.
