Ketan Agarwal Murder Case: First Court Hearing Scheduled in Vadgaon Maval on October 31; Three Accused to Be Produced
The first hearing in the Ketan Agarwal murder case is scheduled for October 31, 2026, at the Vadgaon Maval Sessions Court. Three accused — Siya Goyal, Chetan Chaudhary and Ritesh Hange — are expected to appear before the court. Lonavala Rural Police filed a 5,053-page chargesheet in September, while senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam may represent the prosecution.
Pune, October 31, 2026: The first hearing in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, which attracted widespread attention across Maharashtra, is scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon at the Sessions Court in Vadgaon Maval, Pune district.
All three accused — Siya Goyal (20), Chetan Chaudhary (22) and Ritesh Hange — are expected to be produced before the court.
Senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam is reportedly being considered to represent the prosecution as a special public prosecutor. However, his appointment has not been confirmed in the information available.
Police Suspect Murder Was Planned Over Marriage Dispute
According to the police investigation, Siya Goyal allegedly did not wish to marry Ketan Agarwal and was reportedly in a relationship with co-accused Chetan Chaudhary.
Investigators suspect that the two planned Ketan's murder with the involvement of a third accused.
On June 18, 2026, Ketan was allegedly invited to Lohagad Fort near Lonavala on the pretext of attending a friend's birthday celebration.
Police allege that while Ketan was taking photographs at the fort, he was pushed into a valley. The accused subsequently attempted to portray the incident as an accidental fall, investigators claim.
Technical Evidence Helps Police Identify Suspects
During the investigation, police examined digital and technical evidence connected to the incident.
Investigators reportedly identified similarities between the walking pattern of a suspect captured in the evidence and that of Chetan Chaudhary.
Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, Lonavala Rural Police arrested Siya Goyal, Chetan Chaudhary and Ritesh Hange.
The allegations against the accused remain subject to judicial examination.
Police File 5,053-Page Chargesheet
Lonavala Rural Police completed their investigation within approximately three months and filed a 5,053-page chargesheet before the court in September 2026.
The chargesheet reportedly includes evidence gathered during the investigation into Ketan's death and the alleged conspiracy.
The October 31 hearing marks an important stage in the judicial proceedings, with attention focused on the prosecution's submissions and the court's directions.
Further developments will depend on the proceedings before the Sessions Court.