Relative Rejects iPhone Rumours in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Family Deaths
Following the deaths of three family members in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on August 21, a relative has dismissed initial claims attributing the incident to an unpaid iPhone EMI, calling the narrative a rumour and urging people to stop spreading misinformation.
The incident claimed the lives of 18-year-old Kunal Chandgude, his father Murlidhar Chandgude, and his mother Sangita Chandgude. Initial reports suggested that Kunal had purchased an Apple iPhone on EMI, struggled to make the monthly instalments, and sought help from his parents. He allegedly threatened to jump from a hill and fell into a 250-foot-deep gorge along with his father, who was trying to pull him back. His mother subsequently jumped from the cliff.
However, Sangita’s sister, Pallavi Patil, rejected the narrative that the financial dispute over the phone caused the deaths. In a video message recorded after collecting the family members' ashes, Patil said that those discussing the incident online knew nothing about the family's internal circumstances. She stated that the viral claims were causing immense emotional pain to her and her 75-year-old parents, who were already struggling to cope with the loss of their eldest daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.
According to reports, underlying family tensions may have played a role. Murlidhar worked as a truck driver and Sangita was a homemaker. The couple had lost their elder son to an illness six years ago, which had strained their relationship, leading Murlidhar to often stay away for months due to work. He had reportedly returned home just two days prior to the incident after being away for about three months.
Police are currently examining videos uploaded by Sangita on her YouTube channel, where she had more than 29,000 subscribers. In a video posted shortly before the incident, Sangita spoke about family friction and property disputes, alleging that she and her son were denied their rightful share and that family members were prevented from living together.
Investigators are also looking into a prior incident from a year ago, when Kunal had visited the same hill with the intention to die by suicide before police intervened and safely brought him back. Police officials stated that the iPhone EMI issue remains only one aspect under review rather than an established cause, as the broader investigation continues.
