A dispute over an iPhone instalment payment ended in a devastating tragedy in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district on Friday, August 21, after a teenager and both his parents died after falling from Khawadya Hill in the Tisgaon area.
The deceased were identified as 19-year-old Kunal Chandgude, his father Murlidhar Chandgude, 48, and mother Sangita Chandgude. The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Waluj MIDC police station.
Teen Goes To Hill After Argument Over iPhone EMI
According to a report by NDTV, Kunal had bought an iPhone but was unable to afford its instalments. A dispute reportedly broke out between him and his father over the EMI payment, following which the teenager went to Khawadya Hill around 10 am.
The Indian Express reported that Kunal's parents soon followed him and tried to persuade him to return home. Police, villagers and fire brigade personnel also reached the spot and spent nearly three hours attempting to bring him to safety.
Fire personnel reportedly tried to place a safety net below the hill, but the rescue effort was complicated as Kunal continued moving near the edge of the cliff.
‘Maa Ke Liye Jee Lo’: Appeals Fail To Calm Teen
During the standoff, villagers and local residents repeatedly appealed to Kunal to step away from the edge.
According to NDTV report, former Tisgaon sarpanch Sanjay Jadhav was among those trying to convince him to reconsider.
In the standoff video Jadhav made a emotional appeal. When Kunal refused to move, Jadhav in the video is heard pleading"Maa ke liye jee lo na!”
The teenager, however, reportedly replied, “No, I have to die. That remains the only way.”
According to NDTV, those gathered at the site tried to comfort Kunal and persuade him to think about his future and education. Despite the repeated appeals, he reportedly remained determined to take the extreme step.
Father Tries To Save Son, Both Fall
Around 1 pm, Kunal’s father Murlidhar moved closer to him in an attempt to bring him back from the edge.
According to police accounts cited by The Indian Express, Kunal went over the edge and his father fell while attempting to save him. Both died in the fall.
PTI, as reported by multiple news outlets, said Sangita witnessed her husband and son fall and subsequently went over the edge herself. She also died in the incident.
Bodies Recovered, Probe Underway
Police and fire brigade personnel later recovered the bodies from the area. The bodies were sent for postmortem examination as police began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The tragedy has left the local community shocked, with a dispute reportedly linked to an iPhone EMI payment culminating in the deaths of all three members of the family.
