Dark Tourism: Lohagad Fort Registers Rise of 25% in Visitors With Many Tourists Wanting to See the Infamous ‘Siya Point’

Pune, July 01, 2026: It is dark tourism that has caused a 25 percent hike in tourist arrivals to Maharashtra’s Lohagad Fort, located near Pune. This sudden surge is entirely artificial, driven by public morbid curiosity rather than an appreciation for nature or history.

Unfortunately, it is not the historical significance of the fort or the pleasant weather driving this surge in tourist footfall. Instead, a sinister crime that took place at the fort recently is drawing the crowds. Tourists are now explicitly asking local guides and security staff to point out the exact 350-foot cliff edge where Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal was allegedly murdered.

The Incident (June 18, 2026)

On June 18, 2026, 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of a real estate company, died after falling into a 350-to-400-foot gorge. The incident was initially spun by his fiancée, Siya Goyal, as a tragic accident that occurred while he was taking a photograph.

The Plot & The “Hoodie” Clue

The case quickly unraveled when the Lonavla Rural Police analyzed CCTV footage from the ticket counter. In sweltering 33°C heat, a man, later identified as Siya’s boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, was spotted trailing the couple while wearing a heavy hoodie.

Pre-Planned Execution

Investigators revealed that the duo had conducted prior reconnaissance of the fort. They deliberately picked a secluded stretch of the monument on a Tuesday, a day when footfall is traditionally at its lowest, to carry out the crime.

Dark Tourism History

Often, tragedy sites become the subject of dark tourism, and history is replete with examples. Chernobyl, the 9/11 Ground Zero site, and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai are all examples of how the dark curiosity of people can transform a disaster site into an infamous tourist spot.

Local guides report that visitors are not just looking at the spot; they are actively asking guides to “recreate” the sequence of events. The heavy circulation of reels, memes, and dark jokes online has transformed a horrific crime scene into a viral weekend destination. Groups of youth from Mumbai, Nashik, and Pune are even altering their weekend trekking itineraries, swapping out traditional spots like Kasara Ghat, just to see the crime scene.

The Desecration of History

Lohagad is a 2,000-year-old monument dating back to the Satavahana period. It was heavily fortified under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is recognized globally under UNESCO’s World Heritage listing proposal for the Maratha Military Landscapes.

Local conservation groups, like the Lohagad-Visapur Vikas Manch, have expressed deep outrage. The group’s president, Sachin Tekawade, detailed their profound disappointment that a monument of supreme military and historic legacy is being reduced to a mere backdrop for true-crime tourism and viral reels.

Current Ground Reality & Administrative Action

Police Lockdown

In response to the chaos, the Lonavala Rural Police officially closed and sealed access to Lohagad Fort in late June. This measure was taken to clear out the massive crowds and allow law enforcement to conduct uninterrupted investigative procedures, including crime-scene reconstructions.

The Safety and Ethics Debate

This disturbing trend opens up a critical debate on safety and ethics. Moving forward, local administrations must consider whether to install structural barriers or permanent restrictions at such cliff edges to discourage dangerous rubbernecking and ensure public safety.