In Shorts
- Father emotionally questions if taking away children’s phones was a “sin.”
- Police probe reveals phones were sold and sisters were attached to Korean apps and games.
- Case sparks broader debates on screen time, child wellbeing and parental pressures.
GHAZIABAD, INDIA — The father of three girls who tragically died in a suspected suicide in Ghaziabad has broken his silence, emotionally reflecting on the decisions he made before the incident and questioning whether taking away their mobile phones was a mistake.
Chetan Kumar, who lost his daughters — aged 16, 14 and 12 — after they fell from the ninth floor of their apartment building, told reporters he had confiscated their phones due to excessive use. According to him, their eyes were “swollen” from watching Korean dramas, playing games and scrolling through social media, and he hoped removing the devices would curb their screen time.
“I used to pamper my children a lot,” Kumar said. “They were angry because I had taken away their phones… but was taking their phones a sin?” he asked during the emotional media interaction.
Police investigating the case have so far found no signs of foul play and are treating the deaths as suicide. Forensic teams have seized digital evidence and notes left by the girls to better understand their state of mind prior to the tragedy.
Law enforcement officials disclosed that the phones taken away by Kumar were later sold, intensifying the girls’ distress as they tried unsuccessfully to access Korean applications on their mother’s phone on the night of the incident. Forensic examination did not find traces of the apps on that device.
A suicide note recovered from the scene was addressed solely to the father, suggesting a strong emotional bond, according to police sources. A separate pocket diary recovered from the sisters’ room reportedly detailed their intense attachment to Korean culture and revealed feelings of isolation and distress.
Investigators also uncovered complexities in the family structure. Kumar is said to have three wives, all biological sisters, and the children appeared to be particularly close to their father. Alongside digital habits, financial strain and prolonged social isolation were found to be contributing stressors in the household.
The tragedy has resonated beyond the local community, igniting a wider conversation in India about the influence of smartphones, online gaming and screen addiction on young people. Babita Chauhan, chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women, highlighted concerns that unrestricted mobile phone access can erode essential childhood experiences and recommended guidelines to limit device use for children.
As the police continue their investigation, including tracing data from the sold devices through IMEI information, authorities and child welfare advocates are urging parents to remain vigilant about digital consumption and to balance technological engagement with support for emotional and psychological needs.
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