Online gaming debt: Son murders mother when caught stealing jewellery to repay loans

Lucknow: A 20-year-old youth, Nikhil Yadav alias Golu, allegedly murdered his 45-year-old mother, Reshma Yadav, in Lucknow on October 3 after she caught him stealing her jewellery to repay debts from online gaming losses, police said on Monday. The incident occurred in the Kalli Paschim area when the victim confronted her son during the theft, triggering a violent altercation.

Nikhil, a BA student, had become deeply addicted to the online betting game "Aviator" hosted on the banned platform tirangagamee.games. He lost substantial amounts of money and took multiple high-interest loans from apps like M Pokket, Flash Wallet, and RAM Fincorp, accumulating debts with hidden charges. Unable to repay, he resorted to stealing his mother’s ornaments.

During the confrontation, Nikhil allegedly attacked her with a screwdriver and then bludgeoned her with an LPG cylinder, leading to her death. He ransacked the house to stage a robbery and fled on his father’s motorcycle, later fabricating a story to his father about unknown assailants attacking them.

A joint team from Lucknow’s PGI police station, surveillance cell, and South Zone crime unit tracked him down and arrested him in Fatehpur district. Police recovered the stolen jewellery, the murder weapon, and other evidence. Nikhil confessed during interrogation, stating he acted in panic.

He has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 103 (murder), 238 (evidence tampering), and 315 (misappropriation of deceased’s property). The case highlights the growing dangers of online gaming addiction and predatory loan apps, with police noting over ₹50 lakh in transactions linked to Nikhil’s gaming activity.

DCP (Lucknow South) Nipun Agarwal emphasised the need for vigilance over digital addiction, stating that such platforms are pushing youth into debt traps and violent outcomes. The investigating team was rewarded ₹25,000 for solving the case.

With inputs from PTI