Teen and His Parents Lost Their Lives After Family Dispute Over New Phone

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR, India — A family tragedy unfolded in India after a 19-year-old man and both of his parents lost their lives following an emotional dispute reportedly connected to a recently purchased cellphone.

The incident happened on August 21 at Khawadya Hill in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where the teenager, identified as Kunal Chandgude, had gone following an argument with his parents over payment for the new phone, according to local reports cited by PEOPLE.

Parents Followed Their Son

According to reports, Kunal’s parents, Murlidhar, 48, and Sangita, followed him after becoming concerned about his emotional state.

Police and emergency personnel were called to the scene and spent several hours attempting to calm the situation and persuade Kunal to return home.

Witnesses described the parents as repeatedly trying to reason with their son while authorities worked alongside them.

Despite those efforts, the situation eventually turned tragic.

Parents Tried to Help

As the situation escalated, Kunal’s father reportedly moved toward his son in an attempt to bring him to safety.

The effort ended tragically, and Kunal’s father also lost his life.

His mother was nearby and subsequently fell as well.

Emergency personnel and police recovered the three victims, and authorities began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Family Had Already Experienced a Major Loss

The tragedy was made even more painful by the family’s history.

According to local reports, Kunal’s parents had previously lost an older son to an illness approximately six years earlier.

The parents were reportedly living separately at the time of the incident.

Sangita was also active on YouTube, where she shared videos and moments involving her family. Reports said she had more than 30,000 subscribers.

Emotional Post Before the Tragedy

A day before the incident, Sangita reportedly uploaded a video in which she spoke about emotional struggles and feeling unappreciated by someone she loved.

The post has attracted attention following the tragedy, although it is not clear whether it was directly connected to what happened the following day.

Authorities have not publicly established a definitive explanation for the family’s actions beyond the reports surrounding the argument.

Investigation Continues

Police have continued examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the victims’ bodies were sent for post-mortem examinations as part of the investigation.

Witnesses said the parents and emergency responders made sustained efforts to prevent the tragedy.

The incident has left relatives and members of the local community mourning a family already familiar with profound loss.

What began with a disagreement over a new cellphone ultimately became an unimaginable tragedy, leaving authorities and loved ones to piece together what happened and why the situation escalated so quickly.