Sambhajinagar family deaths: Did mother hint at extramarital affair, harassment?

As the police probe into the incident at Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which saw a couple and their 19-year-old son fall to their deaths from a hill, a new detail has emerged which hints that there could be more to the story.

The tragedy unfolded in the Tisgaon area under Waluj MIDC on  Friday afternoon. Video footage showed 19-year-old Kunal   Chandgude went up the hill around 10 am, allegedly intending to commit suicide following a dispute with his parents about wanting a mobile phone. The parents, Murlidhar and Sangita Chandgude, followed him to the hillside, trying to stop him. Police and villagers tried to convince Kunal not to jump, and the fire brigade was also called in. Though a net was placed below, the teen kept changing his position. Even as his father tried to console and convince him, Kunal jumped, and the father went after him, falling to his death.  Horrified, the mother also jumped off the hill and died.

While initial speculation about the deaths attributed the cause to Kunal’s demand for an iPhone, investigation reveals there could be more to it.

Local media reports hint that Sangeeta also made videos on social media wherein she mentions a family dispute. She stated that the interference of a third woman was causing conflict within the family, according to Hindustan.

She also mentioned her husband was having an extramarital affair with the woman, which had led to increased tension within the family. However, it is not clear whether this dispute has any connection to the recent incident.

Sangeeta is also said to have told people that some were harassing her husband. She also spoke about the difficulties in their marriage. Besides, one of their sons had died eight years ago,  leaving the entire family in shock. The tension in the family remained constant after that incident. Disputes arose daily over one thing or another.

According to DCP Ratnakar Navale, the conversation between the police officer and the mother at the scene hints that there could be more than just a dispute over the iPhone. The mother was repeatedly telling Kunal that if he was in any trouble, she would solve it for him.

“One of the eyewitnesses gathered there said, 'I will give you a mobile phone' to calm him down. However, from that one sentence, the conclusion that 'he committed suicide for the iPhone' cannot be reached,” Navale added.

The lack of witnesses within the family is adding to the confusion. Kunal was under a lot of stress for some reason.