Where Is 'Siya Spot'? Ketan Agarwal Murder Case Drives 25% Surge in Visitors to Pune's Lohagad Fort

Lohagad Fort, a popular historic hill fort near Pune, has experienced an unexpected 25% increase in weekend visitors over the past two weeks. Local tourism coordinators and vendors attribute the sudden rise in traffic to curiosity surrounding the alleged murder of 26-year-old real estate director Ketan Agarwal. The site where Agarwal was reportedly pushed off a 400-foot cliff near the Hatti Talao area has been unofficially dubbed "Siya Point" by incoming trekkers, drawing massive crowds despite ongoing concerns regarding security and public safety.

Curiosity Drives Surge at 'Siya Point'

According to local authorities and tourism merchants, footfall at the fort increased sharply after the Pune Rural Police exposed a pre-planned conspiracy surrounding what was initially reported as a tragic trekking accident. On typical weekends during the monsoon season, the fort naturally draws a steady stream of trekkers. However, the viral nature of the crime investigation has transformed the cliff point where the incident occurred into a dark-tourism hotspot. How Siya Goyal Signalled Chetan Chaudhary To Push Ketan Agarwal off Lohagad Fort.

Vendors operating near the base of the fort noted that a large portion of the new visitors are arriving specifically to locate the exact vantage points mentioned in recent police briefings. Trekkers are regularly seen asking security staff and fellow travelers for directions to "Siya Point"—a moniker derived from the prime accused in the case, Siya Goyal. Local police have deployed additional personnel to manage the crowd and ensure visitors remain behind safety barriers during their hikes.

Background of the Crime

The surge follows the arrest of Agarwal’s 20-year-old fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her associate, 22-year-old Chetan Chaudhary. Investigators state that Agarwal, a Pimpri-Chinchwad businessman, died on June 18 after falling into a deep valley while celebrating Goyal's birthday at the fort.

Goyal initially claimed that Agarwal slipped and lost his footing while posing for a photograph. However, inconsistencies in her testimony, paired with persistent doubts raised by Agarwal's family, prompted a deeper forensic and technical inquiry. Pune Rural Police subsequently uncovered CCTV footage showing Chaudhary tracking the couple while wearing a heavy hoodie in 33-degree Celsius weather, which ultimately helped dismantle the accident alibi. Ketan Agarwal Murder Case: Siya Goyal, Chetan Chaudhary Googled Murder Methods, Rehearsed Plot at Pune's Lohagad Fort.

Backlash and Heightened Security Measures

The sudden commercialization and renaming of a spot within the protected historic monument has sparked significant backlash from local heritage groups. The 'Lohagad Visapur Vikas Manch' has raised strong objections to the trend, stating that renaming a site after a murder accused disrespects the sanctity of the 2,000-year-old fort.

In light of the influx of tourists and the nature of the tragedy, local authorities are reviewing safety guidelines at the hill fort. The situation has highlighted the structural vulnerability of steep, unfenced cliffs where visitors frequently gather for pictures. Tourism boards are considering setting up stricter barricades at high-risk edges and restricting access during heavy downpours to prevent further accidents.

Meanwhile, legal proceedings continue to develop. The Vadgaon Maval court recently extended the police custody of both accused individuals until July 3 to allow investigators to conduct a thorough crime scene reconstruction and verify digital evidence.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2026 03:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).