Ghaziabad Tragedy: Three Sisters Jump to Death After Online Gaming Addiction
In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the nation, three minor sisters died after jumping from the balcony of their ninth-floor apartment in Ghaziabad on Wednesday. The sisters—identified as Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12)—had not attended school for the past two to three years, reportedly due to academic failures that left them feeling embarrassed and increasingly withdrawn.
Academic Struggles and Withdrawal from Society
The tragic case reveals that the eldest sister was only a Class 4 student, highlighting severe educational setbacks. Their father, Chetan Kumar, shared that the girls had been playing an online game for approximately two-and-a-half to three years, developing this habit during the Covid-19 pandemic. "They had been playing the game for two-and-a-half to three years. I thought it was just like the games we played in childhood. I never imagined this could happen," he told PTI, expressing his devastation.
Influence of Korean Content and Gaming Addiction
Police investigations indicate that the sisters were heavily influenced by Korean content and were highly addicted to mobile phone usage. They were engaged in an online Korean task-based interactive game, which reportedly involved specific tasks. Kumar admitted he was unaware of the game's nature, stating, "They often said they wanted to go to Korea. I did not know that this game involved such tasks. I came to know about all this only after the police forensic team examined their mobile phones."
Close Bond and Tragic Discovery
The three sisters did everything together—eating, bathing, and spending time—and mostly remained confined to their room. Kumar recalled that Prachi, the middle sister, had once told him she was the "boss" and that her sisters followed her directions. Investigators recovered a diary containing a handwritten note that read, "Sorry, Papa, I am really sorry," accompanied by a crying-face emoji, adding a poignant layer to the tragedy.
Incident Details and Police Probe
The girls died after jumping from the balcony of their ninth-floor flat in Bharat City, under the Teela Mor police station limits. They were rushed to a hospital in Loni, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. Their mobile phones were seized by police for further investigation. An eyewitness, Arun Kumar, told ANI that he saw the girls jump from the building, noting that it appeared one of them planned the jump while the others tried to save her.
Police are continuing their probe into the case, focusing on the role of online gaming addiction and external influences in this devastating loss. The incident underscores urgent concerns about digital habits among youth and the need for parental awareness in today's connected world.
