Not iPhone: Police Uncover Domestic Strife Behind Tragic Death of Teenager and Parents at Khavda Hills in Maharashtra
A detailed investigation by Maharashtra Police has dismissed viral social media claims that an 18-year-old boy in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plunged to his death over an unfulfilled demand for an iPhone, establishing instead that deep-seated domestic discord led to the tragedy that wiped out an entire family of 3. The incident, which unfolded at the Khavda Hills near Tisgaon, resulted in the deaths of 18-year-old Kunal Chandwade alongside his father Murlidhar and mother Sangeeta.
The tragedy occurred on Friday afternoon when Kunal reached Khavda Hills, located a few kilometres from his home, and placed a phone call to his mother stating his intention to end his life. His parents rushed to the location around 10 AM, attempting to locate him across the rugged terrain and plead with him to step down. Around 12:30 PM, as Kunal moved dangerously close to the cliff edge, his father attempted to physically pull him back to safety. During the struggle, both father and son lost their balance and fell off the cliff, following which the distraught mother also jumped moments later.
Following the incident, unverified videos went viral across social media platforms with claims alleging that the teenager took the extreme step after his father refused to purchase an iPhone or fund monthly instalment payments. However, senior investigating officers reviewing the case confirmed that the viral narrative was entirely incorrect. Police inquiries revealed that the family had been experiencing severe domestic friction for the past 3 months stemming from strained extended family relationships.
According to the preliminary police probe, Murlidhar and Sangeeta had married years ago despite strong opposition from Murlidhar's family, leading him to relocate from Jalna district to Sambhajinagar and sever communication with his parents and sister. However, Murlidhar had recently resumed contact and started visiting his estranged relatives over the past 3 months. This development triggered marital friction between the couple, compounded by Murlidhar, who worked as a driver, frequently staying away from home after work trips. He had returned home only the night prior to the fatal incident.
The findings corroborated statements released by the boy's maternal aunt, who issued a public appeal on social media urging people to stop circulating sensationalist rumours and respect the grief of surviving elderly family members. Police have recorded statements from over 10 individuals, including eyewitnesses, neighbours, and relatives, to complete administrative inquiries.