A witness in the investigation into the death of Pune-based realtor Ketan Agarwal has become an important lead for police after claiming that he saw Chetan Chaudhary, one of the three accused, push the 26-year-old from the cliff at Lohagad Fort, according to police sources.
The witness, whose identity has not been revealed, also alleged that Chetan later threatened to subject him to the same fate. He approached the police on June 23, five days after the incident, and recorded his statement, sources said.
The man had visited Lohagad with his friend's family. While climbing the steps towards the fort, he reportedly saw Ketan and his fiancee Siya Goyal, who is the second accused, walking together, with Chetan following behind them.
According to sources, the witness was able to remember Chetan because of the hoodie he was wearing. He had even reportedly asked Chetan why he was wearing a hoodie despite the summer weather.
After reaching the fort, Chetan allegedly sat near a temple before following Ketan and Siya as they continued ahead.
The witness told police that he briefly left the area after suffering stomach cramps, sources said.
While returning, he allegedly saw Siya gesture towards Chetan. According to his statement, Siya then sat down and kicked Ketan on his leg.
Chetan allegedly followed by running towards Ketan from behind and pushing him in the direction of the cliff.
The witness reportedly later confronted Chetan about what he had seen.
The confrontation allegedly angered Chetan, who warned the witness not to speak about the incident and threatened to throw him from the fort as well.
Sources said the witness did not tell his friend about what had happened.
After returning home, he developed a fever and body ache, according to his statement. He later contacted police after coming across further details about the incident in media reports, sources said.
CHETAN'S HOODIE EMERGES AS KEY IDENTIFIER
Another witness in the case has also reportedly described a direct interaction with Chetan while trekking towards Lohagad.
According to the witness's statement, he asked Chetan why he was wearing a hoodie. Chetan allegedly apologised before continuing on his way, sources said.
Investigators have also examined extensive digital evidence in addition to the witness accounts.
POLICE CONDUCT TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Police have reportedly analysed close to 12 TB of technical data during the investigation. The material includes information obtained from six mobile phones, nine pen drives, backups, call records and social media accounts.
Investigators are also looking into deleted chats and other information recovered through forensic examination. Police sources said there were alleged attempts to erase certain digital data, but investigators were able to retrieve parts of it.
Searches concerning how to delete data from an iPhone, erase chat histories and prevent deleted information from being recovered have also been examined by investigators.
Earlier this month, Pune Rural Police submitted a 5,053-page chargesheet in the murder case.
Ketan was initially believed to have died after falling from Lohagad Fort in Pune. Police later alleged that he was murdered as part of a conspiracy planned by Siya and Chetan, who was described as her alleged lover.
A third accused, Ritesh Hange, has also been arrested in connection with the case. Police have identified him as Chetan's friend.
So far, three witnesses have come forward in the case.
