PUNE: The trial in the murder case of Ketan Agrawal (26), who was allegedly pushed to his death from Lohagad Fort by his fiancée and her boyfriend, began at the Wadgaon Maval sessions court on Saturday, with noted lawyer Ujjwal Nikam appearing as special prosecutor.The prosecution is scheduled to present its opening arguments on November 17, Nikam told reporters. He appeared in the case for the first time following his appointment as special prosecutor.A lawyer representing accused Siya Goyal (20) filed applications seeking bail and discharge for her. The defence claimed there was no evidence against her, Nikam said.The court also directed accused Ritesh Hange (22), who did not have legal representation, to engage a lawyer before the next hearing. If he fails to do so, the court will appoint one for him, it said.At the next hearing, the prosecution will inform the court about the alleged conspiracy and the evidence collected by police regarding the roles of Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary (22). Goyal’s applications will also be heard on November 17, Nikam told reporters.Nitin Bhalerao, Goyal’s lawyer, said the police had not yet provided the defence with videographic and other technical evidence collected during the investigation. An application seeking access to the material was therefore also filed.Senior advocate Vipul Dushing will represent the defence on November 17, Bhalerao said, adding that the defence believed the evidence gathered by police was insufficient to secure a conviction.All three accused, i.e., Siya Goyal, Chaudhary and Hange appeared before the court through video conference from Yerawada Central Jail in Pune.According to police, Agrawal, a real estate businessman, was set to marry Goyal. However, as she did not want to marry him, Goyal and her boyfriend Chaudhary allegedly conspired to kill him. Hange, a friend of Chaudhary, was allegedly part of the conspiracy.Agrawal was allegedly pushed into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18, 2026, resulting in his death.(With inputs from PTI)
