CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA – AUGUST 21, 2026 After a family conflict, 19-year-old Kunal Chandgude, his 48-year-old father Murlidhar, and his mother Sangita died. All three fell from Khawadya Hill.
According to several Indian media outlets, the conflict was preceded by a dispute over a mobile phone. Kunal reportedly had an iPhone purchased on installments and allegedly asked his parents for money for another payment. However, his father, who worked as a driver, reportedly refused to give him the money. The ensuing argument upset the young man so much that he went to Khawadya Hill and began threatening to jump.
His parents, police officers, local residents, and firefighters subsequently arrived at the scene. For approximately three hours, they jointly tried to convince Kunal to abandon his plan and return home. At the same time, firefighters attempted to prepare a rescue net below the cliff. The situation was complicated by the fact that Kunal was moving along the edge of the hill, and rescuers could not safely approach him.
According to witnesses and local reports, those present tried to persuade him in various ways. They even reportedly promised him that they would buy him a mobile phone if he came down from the dangerous location. Nevertheless, they were unable to convince the young man to return.
After three hours of unsuccessful attempts, Murlidhar decided to approach his son and try to pull him away from the edge. Kunal then fell over the edge, and his father also plunged into the deep ravine while attempting to save him. Both men died at the scene.
Sangita was present throughout the incident and, according to police, watched as her son and husband fell from the hill. Shortly afterward, she herself went over the edge and also fell into the ravine. She did not survive either.
The bodies of all three victims were subsequently recovered by police officers and firefighters. Police are now investigating the case and determining the exact circumstances of the tragedy. Although Indian media outlets have repeatedly linked the incident to a dispute over the iPhone and its installment payments, police have so far stated that the true reason for Kunal’s actions can only be determined after the investigation is completed.
READ MORE:
https://www.republicworld.com/amp/india/iphone-dispute-turns-fatal-in-maharashtra-teen-jumps-from-hill-parents-die-trying-to-save-him-2026-08-22-135299
https://www.outlookindia.com/national/sambhajinagar-teenager-parents-die-in-khawadya-hill-tragedy-after-mobile-phone-dispute
https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/other-cities/story/sambhajinagar-hill-tragedy-teen-parents-die-khavdya-hills-rescue-2976707-2026-08-21
//ADD INTO POST – AUGUST 22, 2026: Thanks to unregistered user for adding a video.
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