Ghaziabad Tragedy: Three Sisters Die by Suicide Over Korean Gaming App Obsession
In a deeply tragic incident that has shocked the community, three minor sisters died by suicide after jumping from the ninth floor of a residential building in Bharat City Society, Ghaziabad. The victims have been identified as Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12), whose lives were cut short in a heartbreaking turn of events.
Details of the Incident and Investigation
According to police reports, the three sisters climbed onto a chair and jumped one by one from their apartment. Authorities discovered handwritten notes and a diary at the scene, which are currently under detailed forensic examination. A suicide note was also recovered, providing crucial insights into the girls' state of mind.
Assistant Police Commissioner Atul Kumar Singh revealed that the notes contained disturbing content. "The girls left behind a lot of notes in a diary and stated that they were sorry, and also made a crying caricature. They were highly obsessed with the game and thought that they were not Indians, but Koreans. They also portrayed themselves as Korean princesses under the influence of the game," Singh stated during the investigation briefing.
The Gaming App Connection
Police investigation has uncovered that the sisters were reportedly addicted to a Korean task-based gaming application called 'Korean Love Game.' This app, which contains approximately fifty different tasks, appears to have played a significant role in the tragedy.
The girls' father, Chetan Kumar, shared with investigators that his daughters' gaming addiction began after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted their regular school attendance. All three sisters had not attended school since the pandemic, with the eldest reportedly studying in Class 4 before discontinuing her education.
In their suicide note, the girls expressed a poignant and troubling sentiment: "Sorry, Papa...we cannot leave Korea. Korea is our life, and you can't make us leave it. That's why we are committing suicide." This message highlights the extent of their psychological immersion in the gaming world.
Family Background and Recent Restrictions
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nimish Patil provided additional context about the family situation. "As we spoke to the family now, they had somewhat restricted the girls from using the phone for the past few days. The girls were troubled by this, and because of that, they took this decision..." Patil explained, suggesting that recent parental attempts to limit screen time may have contributed to the extreme reaction.
Police authorities have seized the girls' mobile phones for digital forensic analysis to better understand their gaming patterns and interactions within the application. The investigation aims to determine the exact nature of the game's content and its potential influence on vulnerable young minds.
Broader Implications and Community Impact
This tragic incident raises serious concerns about online gaming addiction among minors, particularly following the increased screen time during pandemic lockdowns. The case highlights how immersive digital experiences can sometimes blur the lines between virtual reality and actual identity, especially for impressionable young users.
Local authorities are continuing their investigation while mental health professionals emphasize the importance of monitoring children's online activities and maintaining open communication about digital consumption. The Ghaziabad community remains in mourning as they grapple with this devastating loss of three young lives.
