Tragic Incident in Maharashtra: Teen and Parents Fall from Hill

A family dispute over the desire for a new iPhone led to a tragic incident in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Friday. An 18-year-old male, Kunal Chandgude, along with his parents, Murlidhar Chandgude, aged 48, and Sangita Chandgude, died after falling from a hill in an attempt to prevent him from taking his own life, according to police reports.

The incident occurred in the Tisgaon area under the jurisdiction of the Waluj MIDC police. The family resided in the Zalta Phata locality. Police Inspector Rameshwar Gade indicated that Kunal was distressed when his father refused to purchase the new device, as the family was experiencing financial hardships. Murlidhar, a driver and the sole earner, was faced with the dilemma of his son’s wish against their financial constraints.

Following a heated argument concerning the phone, Kunal ascended the hill around 10 am. Concerned for his wellbeing, both of his parents followed him in order to convince him to return home safely. Reports state that local villagers, as well as police and fire brigade officials, also arrived at the scene to assist in the rescue operation.

Firefighters attempted to set up a safety net at the base of the hill to catch Kunal in case he jumped. However, he frequently shifted his position along the cliff edge, complicating the rescue attempts. This precarious situation persisted for nearly three hours.

At approximately 1 pm, Murlidhar approached Kunal in a bid to comfort him and coax him down. During this encounter, Kunal leapt from the cliff, prompting Murlidhar to reach out in a desperate attempt to grasp his son. Unfortunately, both lost their footing and fell from the hilltop. Witnessing this tragic event, Sangita also jumped shortly after, leading to the deaths of all three family members within minutes.

Authorities promptly recovered the bodies and are conducting further investigations into the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident. The police continue to look into the events leading up to the tragedy to gain a better understanding of the underlying factors at play.