The deaths of a young man and his parents at Khavdya Dongar in Maharashtra were initially reported as the devastating result of an argument over an iPhone and unpaid EMI instalments. A new police update now indicates that the phone dispute may not explain the full tragedy.
Investigators examining the deaths of Kunal Chandgude, his father Murlidhar Chandgude and his mother Sangeeta Chandgude have found signs of serious domestic discord that had reportedly continued for several months. Police have stressed that the investigation remains open and that the exact trigger has not yet been conclusively established.
Was iPhone EMI the Real Cause of the Sambhajinagar Hill Tragedy?
The preliminary police findings suggest that an iPhone EMI was not the sole cause of the deaths. Early accounts said Kunal had argued with his family over money connected with a phone before going to the hill. This version spread rapidly through news reports and social media posts.
Police later found that Kunal and his mother were already using iPhones. Investigators are still checking whether the phones were purchased through instalment plans and whether repayment had created any recent tension. However, officers now believe that broader conflict inside the family played a more significant role.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Atulkar said the preliminary inquiry pointed to serious differences within the family. Assistant Police Inspector Naresh Thakre said investigators were examining tensions connected with relationships among family members. These are preliminary findings, not a final conclusion or criminal charge.
What Happened at Khavdya Dongar?
The tragedy occurred on August 21, 2026, at Khavdya Dongar near Tisgaon in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. According to police, Kunal reached the hill at around 10 am and informed his parents that he intended to end his life.
Murlidhar and Sangeeta went to the hill and tried to persuade their son to move away from the cliff. Villagers, police officers and fire brigade personnel also joined the rescue effort. The attempt continued for nearly three hours.
Police said Kunal repeatedly changed his position along the cliff edge. Fire brigade personnel stationed below had to move a safety net as he moved. Investigators later said the net was around 15 to 20 feet from the place where Kunal and his father fell.
At approximately 1 pm, Murlidhar approached his son and attempted to pull or guide him away from the edge. Kunal fell, and his father also fell while trying to save him. Sangeeta then fell or jumped after witnessing the deaths of her husband and son. All three died at the scene.
Why Did the iPhone EMI Version Spread First?
The phone theory emerged from the initial account provided after the incident. Reports said Kunal had purchased or wanted an expensive phone and had sought financial help from his father. A disagreement over payment was presented as the immediate trigger.
The detail attracted intense attention because it offered a simple explanation for a shocking event. Viral videos from the hill and claims shared by acquaintances made the story spread faster. However, a first account during a developing investigation can change when officers examine phones, social media activity, witness statements and the family's recent history.
Police now say this case appears more complicated. The available evidence does not support describing a phone as the confirmed single reason for three deaths.
What Did Police Find About the Family?
Investigators said the family had been experiencing domestic tension for months. Police are examining whether strained relationships and recent disagreements caused severe emotional distress for Kunal and his mother.
The inquiry has also found that Kunal had gone to the same cliff during an earlier crisis. A police constable involved in both incidents said the earlier episode followed an unmet phone demand and ended after counselling. The officer said the circumstances appeared different this time.
Police found study material connected with the NEET examination at the family's home. Kunal was described as a bright student who had scored more than 90 percent in Class 10. The family had also suffered the death of an older son from illness years earlier.
These details provide context, but they do not establish one definitive motive. Grief, family conflict and mental distress can overlap. Investigators must determine what happened without reducing the deaths to one purchase or one disagreement.
What Do Sangeeta's Social Media Videos Show?
Videos posted by Sangeeta before the tragedy have circulated widely online. Reports say she referred indirectly to personal distress and conflict within the family. Police are reviewing these posts as part of the inquiry.
Social media users have used the clips to accuse specific relatives and present their own explanations. Those allegations have not been independently established by police. Naming an individual as responsible before evidence is verified could mislead readers and harm people who have not been charged.
The videos may help investigators understand Sangeeta's emotional condition and the family's difficulties. They cannot, by themselves, prove criminal responsibility or establish the exact cause of the deaths.
Did the Rescue Operation Fail?
Questions have been raised about why the safety net did not prevent the deaths. Police said Kunal kept moving along the cliff edge, forcing the team below to reposition the equipment. The final fall occurred away from the net.
Witnesses and rescuers reportedly made repeated efforts to persuade Kunal to step back. Some offered financial help and even promised a phone. His response indicated that the crisis had gone beyond a material demand by that point.
A formal review of the response may help authorities improve rescue procedures at the hill, which local residents say has been connected with previous suicide attempts.
What Is the Latest Police Investigation Update?
Police are continuing to record statements, examine the family's phones and review social media material. Officers are also checking claims about phone instalments and recent events that may have intensified the domestic dispute.
No final police report has established one person as responsible. The safest factual conclusion is that the original iPhone EMI explanation was incomplete. The preliminary probe points toward prolonged family distress, while the exact sequence of causes remains under investigation.
Readers can follow verified updates through the latest India news and avoid forwarding posts that turn unverified allegations into confirmed facts.
Sambhajinagar Hill Tragedy FAQs
Did Kunal die because of an iPhone EMI dispute?
Police initially examined a phone-related argument, but the preliminary investigation now suggests deeper family discord. The exact trigger has not been conclusively established.
Who died in the Khavdya Dongar incident?
Kunal Chandgude and his parents, Murlidhar and Sangeeta Chandgude, died after falling from the hill in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on August 21, 2026.
Has anyone been charged in the case?
No charge against a relative has been confirmed in the available police updates. Investigators are reviewing witness statements, social media posts and the family's circumstances.
Why did the safety net not save the family?
Police said Kunal moved repeatedly along the cliff edge. The father and son fell around 15 to 20 feet away from the net's position.
Is the police investigation complete?
No. Police are still examining the phone-payment claim, family conflict, social media videos and possible recent triggers.
How to Respond to a Suicide Crisis
If someone says death is the only solution, treat it as an immediate emergency. Stay with the person, reduce access to dangerous locations or objects, contact emergency services and seek urgent professional support. Do not argue, shame or promise to keep the threat secret.