Family of three dies after dispute over smartphone in India

A tragic incident occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, India, resulting in the deaths of three family members. A 19-year-old man, identified as Kunal Chandgude, climbed the Khavdya Hill after a heated dispute with his father, 48-year-old taxi driver Murlidhar, regarding the payment of installments for a new iPhone. According to reports, Kunal had struggled to meet the financial commitments for the device and demanded the funds from his father, who refused due to financial constraints.

For approximately three hours, the parents attempted to persuade their son to step away from the edge of the 75-meter cliff. Even the local mayor reportedly intervened by promising to cover the cost of the phone. The situation escalated when the father attempted to grab his son's arm to pull him to safety; however, the youth reacted, causing both to fall over the cliff. Overcome with grief, the mother jumped from the ledge seconds later. This incident highlights the fatal consequences of a domestic disagreement exacerbated by financial pressure and emotional distress.