Lohagad Fort, a centuries-old hill fortress near Lonavala, has recorded a 25 per cent jump in visitor numbers in the weeks following the murder of 26-year-old realtor Ketan Agarwal, a case that has dominated headlines since his death on June 18.
Ketan Agarwal died after falling from a height at Lohagad Fort. What was initially treated as an accidental death has since turned into a high-profile murder investigation following the arrest of his fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary. Police allege the pair conspired to kill Ketan by pushing him off a cliff, using a pre-planned signal between them.
The "Siya Spot"
In the weeks since, the exact ledge from which Ketan fell has reportedly become an object of curiosity, with visitors said to be seeking out and photographing themselves at what local guides and social media users have taken to calling the "Siya spot." Trekking groups that once came to Lohagad for its ramparts and panoramic views are now arriving, in some cases, specifically because of the crime.
Lohagad Fort has been one of Maharashtra’s most frequented heritage destinations for many years, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. On weekends and public holidays, it typically receives between 4,000 and 5,000 visitors per day. Residents now report that similar numbers are arriving even on regular weekdays, with a significant share of the attention centered on the so-called "Siya Point."
Safety Concerns
Local residents and trekking groups have separately demanded the installation of railings and CCTV cameras at dangerous points on the fort, with officials acknowledging the site has long faced scrutiny over the lack of proper safety infrastructure for its heavy tourist footfall. The renewed attention on the fort's lack of safety measures comes even as visitor numbers continue to climb, raising questions about how authorities plan to manage the increased footfall at a site with limited safeguards in place.
