Sambhajinagar Tragedy: Kunal Wanted Parents Together, Family Dismisses iPhone Angle After 3 Die Falling From Khavda Hill

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Kunal Chandgude wanted his parents to resolve their differences and stay together, his maternal relatives have said, offering a different perspective on the circumstances surrounding the tragic hill incident that claimed the lives of Kunal, his father Murlidhar and mother Sangeeta.

The family’s statement comes as police and fire brigade personnel reconstruct the sequence of events at Khavda hill, where the three died after falling nearly 300 feet during a rescue operation on Monday.

Kunal had reached the hilltop in the morning and repeatedly changed his position as family members, police personnel and fire brigade officials attempted to persuade him to come down. His father eventually approached him and tried to hold his hand, following which both reportedly lost their balance and fell into the rocky terrain. Seconds later, Sangeeta allegedly jumped from the hill after witnessing her husband and son fall.

Kunal's Maternal Relatives Dismiss iPhone Angle

Kunal’s maternal relatives said the family had been facing differences between the parents, including disputes reportedly linked to property. However, they claimed Kunal wanted to bring his parents together and end the tensions within the family.

His maternal aunt described him as a bright student who came from a financially stable family. She said Kunal had scored 82% in his Class 10 CBSE examination and was preparing for the NEET examination at Aakash Institute with the aim of pursuing MBBS.

The family also dismissed speculation surrounding an iPhone allegedly purchased for Kunal. His aunt said the phone was bought to support his studies and argued that the cost of a second-hand iPhone was within the family's means. She said she did not believe Kunal intended to die by suicide, suggesting that his actions may instead have been linked to his desire to reunite his parents.

Father's Family Gives Different Account

Murlidhar’s sister, Shobha Rajendra Maske, gave a different account of the couple’s relationship. She said Murlidhar and Sangeeta had a love marriage around 22 years ago and claimed that Murlidhar’s parents had opposed the marriage and did not attend the wedding.

According to her, relations between Murlidhar and his family remained strained after the marriage, while differences between the couple continued over the years, reported India Today.

What Exactly Happened That Day?

Meanwhile, police said Kunal left home around 8 am, reportedly to attend classes. When he failed to reach the institute by 9.10 am, officials contacted his mother. His location was traced to the hill between 10 am and 10.30 am, after which villagers alerted police at around 10.45 am.

The fire brigade was called around 11.30 am. When rescuers arrived, Kunal was on the hilltop and continued changing his position. Teams attempted to persuade him to return and placed a safety net below as a precaution.

During the rescue attempt, Murlidhar approached Kunal and tried to grab his hand, but both fell. Sangeeta followed moments later. A fire brigade employee sustained minor injuries during the operation. The bodies of all three victims were taken to Ghati Hospital at around 2.30 pm for post-mortem examinations. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led Kunal to the hill and the events immediately preceding the fatal falls.