Maharashtra family deaths: Aunt denies phone row, police probe 2-month family dispute

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The aunt of a 19-year-old man who fell from a hill in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on August 21 has dismissed reports that he attempted suicide after his family refused to buy him a mobile phone.

The clarification came as police investigating the deaths of the teenager and his parents said on Monday that a dispute within the family had caused considerable stress and may have prompted the teenager to attempt suicide.

The incident took place in the Tisgaon area on the afternoon of August 21. According to police, a domestic dispute was followed by a sequence of fatal falls from a hilltop, resulting in the deaths of three members of the same family.

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The deceased have been identified as Murlidhar Chandgude, 48, his wife Sangita, and their 19-year-old son Kunal, residents of Zalta Phata in the city.

Family rejects mobile phone theory

Pallavi Patil, Sangita's sister, said reports linking Kunal's death to a dispute over a mobile phone were false.

In a video message, she urged people not to spread unverified claims about the incident.

"People should not spread such rumours. People don't know anything," she said, adding that such reports were causing further distress to the family.

She said the family had lost an elder sister and asked people to consider the suffering of the bereaved relatives before circulating claims about the deaths.

What happened on August 21?

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Atulkar, Kunal stood on the edge of the hill and threatened to take his own life.

Police officers attempted to persuade him to step away from the edge, while the fire brigade was also called to the scene.

Atulkar said Kunal's father tried to pull him back at the last moment, but the two lost their balance and fell.

"Suddenly, the mother jumped from the spot," he said.

All three died in the incident.

Police probe family dispute

Police said their preliminary investigation indicates that the family had been under stress because of a dispute that had continued for the past two to three months.

Atulkar said the dispute appeared to have contributed to Kunal's decision to attempt suicide.

"Due to this, the son tried to commit suicide on August 21. We are investigating this case, and we are going to the root cause of this incident," he said.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the nature of the dispute within the family.

(PTI)