‘Sorry, Papa’: Suspected ‘Korean love game’ under probe after death of 3 sisters in Ghaziabad

Police are investigating the deaths of three minor sisters who allegedly jumped from the balcony of a ninth-floor apartment in Ghaziabad in the early hours of Wednesday, with a possible link to excessive online gaming.

The incident occurred around 2 am at a residential tower in Bharat City, under the Teela Mor police station limits in the Sahibabad area. According to police, the girls—Nishika (16), Prachi (14) and Pakhi (12), daughters of Chetan Kumar—fell to the ground floor after jumping from the balcony and sustained fatal injuries. They were rushed to a hospital in Loni, where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Shalimar Garden) Atul Kumar Singh said preliminary findings suggest that the sisters were heavily engaged in an online task-based Korean game, reportedly known as a “love game”. Their parents had objected to the amount of time they spent gaming, which may have caused distress.

Police said the sisters had developed a close bond and did almost everything together—from daily routines to school and leisure activities. Their involvement with online gaming reportedly began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued over the years.

"The three did everything together - from bathing, eating and sleeping to going to school," the ACP said.

Investigators said the girls had locked themselves inside a room before the incident. By the time family members managed to break open the door, the sisters had already jumped.

A handwritten note and an eight-page diary were recovered from the house. The note contained an apology to their parents, ending with the words “Sorry, papa” and a crying emoji. In the diary, the sisters reportedly apologised repeatedly and wrote that whatever was mentioned in it was the truth, detailing their gaming activities and emotions leading up to the incident.

Police said all angles are being examined and further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and circumstances that led to the tragedy.

Police sources said an investigation is underway into who told them to start playing the task-based game.

(Note: Suicide is not a solution to any problem. Seek help from mental health professionals and try to overcome difficult situations. If you have such thoughts, call the ‘DISHA’ helpline. Toll-free numbers: 1056, 0471-2552056)