Ghaziabad Tragedy: Police Uncover Complex Family Dynamics and Korean Culture Influence
Police investigating the tragic deaths of three minor sisters in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad have revealed a case marked by a complex interplay of family dynamics, social isolation, and profound emotional distress. The sisters—Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12)—allegedly jumped to their deaths from a ninth-floor apartment, sparking a detailed probe that has uncovered multiple troubling factors.
Family History and Conflict Emerge as Key Factors
According to investigators, the family background includes a previous suspicious death. The girls' father, Chetan Kumar, had a live-in partner who died in 2015 after falling from a roof in Rajendra Nagar Colony under Sahibabad police jurisdiction. That case was later dismissed as a suicide, as confirmed by DCP (Trans Hindon) Nimish Patil to news agency PTI. When questioned about this incident in a PTI video, Kumar refused to comment, stating, "I don't want to talk about this."
Kumar later discussed disagreements with his daughters regarding their phone usage, revealing a tense domestic environment. "I used to pamper my children a lot... They would watch Korean dramas, Korean games, and Korean reels. Their eyes were swollen, which is why I snatched away their phones. They were angry about it. Is taking your child's phone away a sin?" he said.
Diary Reveals Emotional Turmoil and Cultural Attachment
Police recovered a nine-page pocket diary from the sisters' room, providing crucial insight into their emotional state. While investigators have found no evidence that the girls were participating in any Korean task-based online game, the diary clearly reflects their strong attachment to Korean culture. It documents feelings of loneliness, stress, and the pressures of living in a large family burdened by significant debt.
After the incident, Kumar claimed his daughters had been playing a Korean game for nearly three years and had stopped attending school during that period. However, police state this claim is still under examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Public Outcry and Calls for Regulation
The deaths have triggered widespread protests and reignited debate over the influence of online games on children. On Sunday, demonstrators in parts of Delhi and Ghaziabad called for stricter regulation of online gaming platforms. In West Delhi's Subhash Nagar, protesters demanded that children below the age of 16 be barred from accessing such games.
Dilip, the maternal grandfather of the three sisters, made an emotional appeal to the government. "I fold my hands before the government and request that the game be banned, so that no more such deaths or suicides happen," he told PTI.
Political Groups Join Demands for Tighter Controls
Political organizations have amplified calls for legislative action. Paramjit Singh Pamma, president of the National Akali Dal, emphasized the need for protective legislation. "These online games are destroying children's futures and pushing them on the brink of suicide," he stated. Pamma urged the government to closely monitor such apps and implement restrictions, suggesting, "There should be a restriction mode in these games so that even if children try to access them, they cannot do so without their parents' permission."
Police emphasize that the investigation remains active and comprehensive, with conclusions to be drawn only after all evidence has been thoroughly examined. The case continues to develop as authorities piece together the complex circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking tragedy.
