An old social media video of Sangeeta Chandgude, who died along with her husband and 19-year-old son at Khavdya Hill on August 21, has brought renewed attention to long-standing family and property disputes.
In the undated video, according to NDTV, Sangeeta alleges that she and her son were denied property rights and accuses unnamed family members of destroying her family and keeping relatives apart. She also issues a curse against those she holds responsible. Police are examining the video to identify the people she was referring to and understand the wider context.
Investigators have reportedly found that family tensions had persisted since the death of the couple’s eldest son from an illness about six years ago. Murlidhar, a driver, had also been living away from home for months because of domestic disputes and returned just two days before the tragedy.
Their son Kunal had reportedly attempted suicide at the same hill a year earlier but was persuaded to return safely by police.
On August 21, Kunal went to the edge of the roughly 250-foot-deep gorge following an argument with his father over unpaid iPhone instalments. After nearly three hours of efforts to persuade him to step back, Murlidhar reportedly tried to rescue him, but both fell into the gorge. Sangeeta subsequently jumped after witnessing the fall.
The old video has prompted investigators to look beyond the immediate iPhone EMI dispute and examine whether years of family conflict and property-related tensions contributed to the tragedy.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
