The investigation into the killing of Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal has expanded with the arrest of a third suspect, as police continue to examine whether more people were involved in the alleged murder conspiracy, NDTV reported.
Ritesh Hange, a friend of prime accused Chetan Chaudhary, was arrested on Friday after investigators found evidence allegedly linking him to the planning of Agarwal's murder.
He was produced before a court in Vadgaon Maval and remanded to police custody until September 12.
According to police, a forensic examination of a mobile phone recovered during the investigation revealed chats in which Hange and others allegedly discussed plans to kill Agarwal by pushing him from Lohagad Fort and later destroying evidence.
Police said Hange was aware of an earlier plan allegedly drawn up by Chaudhary and Agarwal's fiancée, Siya Goyal, to assault Agarwal before killing him.
Investigators further allege that after the murder on June 18, Chaudhary contacted Hange and told him what had happened.
Goyal and Chaudhary were arrested on June 23 after the case, initially registered as an accidental death, was reopened following suspicions raised by Agarwal's family.
Police allege that Goyal and Chaudhary wanted Agarwal eliminated because he had become an obstacle to their relationship.
The investigation gained momentum after CCTV footage showed a man wearing a hoodie following Agarwal and Goyal around Lohagad Fort. Investigators later identified him as Chaudhary and found extensive communication between him and Goyal, including more than 2,000 calls between January and June.
Police are also examining other circumstances surrounding the case.
Agarwal's family had planned a trip to Bali for a pre-wedding photoshoot, but the trip was cancelled after Agarwal discovered at Mumbai airport that his passport was missing. His father had alleged that the passport may have been deliberately taken.
With Hange's arrest, investigators are now examining the wider conspiracy and whether any additional individuals helped plan the murder or conceal evidence afterwards.
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