Lohagad Fort death takes shocking turn: Pune-based builder was ‘murdered,’ says police

Twenty-four-year-old Ketan Vishal Agarwal, who died after plunging into a deep gorge at Lohagad Fort in Lonavala, was allegedly murdered, police have told the news agency PTI.

Agarwal had travelled to Maharashtra's Lonavala to celebrate his fiancée's birthday with her and a male friend. Earlier reports suggested that he had lost his balance while trekking on a damp and slippery surface and fallen into a 400-foot-deep valley at the historic fort on the morning of June 18.

However, in a dramatic twist to the case, police now allege that Agarwal's fiancée and her male friend pushed him into the gorge and attempted to portray the incident as an accidental fall.

The deceased, a resident of Gahunje near Pune, was a director in his family's real estate business. He was due to get married in November this year.

According to PTI, Agarwal had visited Lohagad Fort with his fiancée and two close friends to celebrate her birthday when the incident occurred.

On June 19, police initially said that Agarwal had lost his footing near a cliff amid strong winds at Lohagad Fort. Investigators stated that he slipped while taking photographs at around 10.30 am and fell nearly 400 feet into the valley.

Inspector Dinesh Tayde of the Lonavala Rural Police Station said personnel from the Shivdurg Mitra Emergency Rescue Team, along with police officers, carried out a three-hour operation to recover the body from the rugged terrain.

At the time, authorities registered a case of accidental death and launched an investigation. The 24-year-old's body was subsequently sent for a post-mortem examination.

Police have now detained two individuals and are investigating the matter as a murder case. Officials have declined to disclose further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Earlier this month, police in Delhi arrested a 21-year-old man from Kalindi Kunj for allegedly killing his 18-year-old wife and attempting to pass off her death as suicide. Investigators alleged that he strangled and smothered her with a pillow following an argument over suspicions that she was involved in an extramarital relationship, HT reported.

A senior police officer said the accused allegedly murdered his wife in the early hours of Friday and then remained beside her body for nearly 12 hours. He woke up at around 1.30 pm and allegedly attempted to stage the scene to make it appear as though she had taken her own life.

Police said the accused later brought the body downstairs and raised an alarm, claiming that his wife had died by suicide. However, the woman's sister, who lives in the same neighbourhood, suspected foul play and informed authorities that she may have been murdered.

A post-mortem examination subsequently revealed that the victim had died from strangulation and suffocation, contradicting the suicide claim.

Investigators later found that the couple had argued on Thursday night after the accused returned home intoxicated. Following allegations of abuse and murder made by the victim's family, police registered a case against the 21-year-old and took him into custody.

Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.