A 12-year-old boy tragically died by suicide in Rajkot, Gujarat, after his parents stopped him from using a mobile phone. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlights growing concerns over digital dependency among children.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim, identified as Saurabh Pande, was found deceased in his family home on Chandresh Nagar Main Road on Friday evening. According to the Malaviyanagar police, who have registered a case of unnatural death, the boy's mother discovered him hanging. She was working in the kitchen at the time and immediately raised an alarm.
Neighbors rushed to the scene and called for an ambulance. However, paramedics declared the boy dead upon arrival. The family, who had relocated to Rajkot from Uttar Pradesh, consists of the parents and two children. Saurabh was a Class VII student and the elder sibling. His father earns a living as an autorickshaw driver.
Events Leading to the Tragedy
The preliminary police inquiry paints a heartbreaking sequence of events. On Friday afternoon, Saurabh returned home from school and began using his mother's mobile phone. His father, concerned about his excessive phone use, scolded him. Before leaving for work, the father changed the phone's passcode to restrict access.
Later, when Saurabh tried to use the phone again, he could not unlock it. He asked his mother for the new passcode, but she told him she had forgotten it. Following this, the boy went into his room. He was found there later, in a tragic turn of events that has left the family devastated.
Investigation and Broader Implications
The Malaviyanagar police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. While the immediate trigger appears linked to the restriction of phone access, authorities are looking into all aspects of the case.
This incident raises critical questions about child mental health, the challenges of parenting in the digital age, and the intense pressure children sometimes face. It underscores the need for open communication within families about technology use and emotional well-being. The police continue their investigation to understand the complete picture.
