A family dispute over a mobile phone ended in tragedy in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, where a 19-year-old man and both his parents died after falling from a hilltop on Friday. Police said the incident took place at Khavdya Hill in the Tisgaon area under Waluj MIDC police station.
According to police, the teenager, identified as Kunal Chandgude, went to the hill around 10am following an argument with his parents over his demand for a new mobile phone. His parents, Murlidhar Chandgude, 48, and Sangita Chandgude, followed him to the hill and tried to convince him to return home.
Police, firefighters and local villagers also reached the location after learning that the teenager was in danger. Rescue teams attempted to place a safety net at the bottom of the hill, but their efforts were complicated as Kunal repeatedly moved along the edge of the steep slope.
After several hours of efforts to persuade him to step away from the edge, Kunal eventually fell from the hill. His father moved towards him in an attempt to save him but also lost his balance and fell. Sangita then fell from the hill shortly afterwards after witnessing her husband and son fall, according to officials.
Police recovered the bodies from the difficult terrain and sent them for postmortem examinations. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and recording statements from witnesses.
The incident has left the local community in shock, highlighting the devastating consequences that can follow moments of severe emotional distress and family conflict.
