Who is Ritesh Hange? Third accused, after fiance and boyfriend, arrested for ‘conspiracy’ in Ketan Agarwal murder case | Today’s news
The Pune Police has reportedly arrested one Ritesh Hange in connection with the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal in Lohagad Fort. Police have secured Hange’s custody until September 12, an official said on Saturday.
Hange was arrested on Friday evening and produced before the Vadgaon Maval court, which sent him to police custody till September 12, Pune Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill told ANI.
What happened?
The case relates to the murder of Pune-based real estate agent Ketan Agarwal.
Agarwal was killed at Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18, allegedly by his fiancee, Siya Goyal and her friend and alleged lover, Chetan Babulal Chaudhary. The investigation into the case continues.
Read also | Lawyer Siya Goyal denies reports of secret marriage with Chetan Chaudhary
According to police, Goyal (20) and Chaudhary (22) allegedly pushed Agarwal off a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune district on June 18, resulting in his death.
Police said Agarwal and Goyal got engaged in February, but she was allegedly in a relationship with Chaudhary.
Police say Goyal and Chaudhary planned to eliminate Agarwal as he was becoming an obstacle in their relationship.
Who is Ritesh Hange?
The police claimed that the arrested man, Ritesh Hange, is a friend of Chetan Choudhary, the alleged lover of victim Ketan Agarwal’s fiancee Siya Goyal and the main accused in the murder case.
Hange (22) is the third person after Chaudhary and Goyal to be arrested in the case. He was reportedly in touch with both Chaudhary and Siya.
Investigators suspect that the alleged murder plan was discussed with Hange. He was charged with conspiracy and became a co-defendant in the case.
Read also | Chetan Chaudhary will be taken to Lohagarh Fort for crime scene reconstruction
“During the investigation, it came to light that Ritesh was involved in planning the murder of Ketan Agarwal,” Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill told PTI.
Hange was arrested for the alleged murder plot, he said.
Police said Chaudhary and Siya allegedly asked Hange to accompany them to Lohagad for a walk. However, Hange did not visit the fort on June 18, the day Agarwal was allegedly killed.
Investigators are looking into Hange’s movements and interactions after the murder. Police claimed that Chaudhary met Hange soon after the incident, while Siya also spoke to him.
Read also | Ketan Agarwal murder: Chetan Chaudhary to undergo gait analysis
Hange has reportedly been in touch with Chaudhary since the last week of May. He was previously taken into custody for questioning during the investigation and has now been formally arrested in the case.
Another police officer said Hange was involved in planning Agarwal’s murder with Chaudhary and Goyal.
“He was aware of Goyal and Chaudhary’s earlier plan to injure Ketan by breaking his arms and legs and then eliminate him. After allegedly carrying out the murder at Lohagad Fort on June 18, Chetan contacted Ritesh and informed him about it,” an officer told PTI.
The police are still investigating the case.
