A family dispute over an expensive smartphone has ended in a devastating tragedy in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, where a young man and both his parents died after an incident at Khavdya Dongar near Tisgaon on Friday.
According to police and local reports, Kunal Chandwade, 18, went to the hill around 10 am following an argument with his parents over his demand for a high-end mobile phone. His parents, Murlidhar and Sangeeta Chandwade, followed him after learning that he was in distress and had moved towards the edge of the hill.
Nearly Three Hours of Efforts to Save Him
> 19 year old demands an IPhone 15.
— Mike Kobe (Wild Horse) ???????????? (@Oklahoma_Brave) August 22, 2026
> Parents refuse
> Son runs to clifftop and threatens unalive
> Parents talk to him for 3 hours
> Dad grabs him
> Son pulls Dad into the abyss
> Mom self-deletes
These are biological weapons. Not people. Keep them out. pic.twitter.com/ibY07cqL3L
What followed was a tense rescue operation that continued for almost three hours. Family members, villagers, police personnel and fire brigade officials reached the location and repeatedly tried to convince Kunal to move away from the dangerous edge.
Fire brigade teams reportedly attempted to place safety nets below the hill, while villagers also tried different ways to persuade him to return home. Tisgaon sarpanch Sanjay Jadhav was among those who spoke to the teenager and reportedly even offered to give him an iPhone in an effort to get him away from the cliff.
Despite these efforts, Kunal reportedly remained near the edge. His mother continued pleading with him, while his father eventually moved closer in an attempt to physically bring him back to safety.
Father Fell While Trying to Save Son
At around 1 pm, the situation took a tragic turn. According to police, Kunal suddenly went over the edge as his father attempted to grab him.
Murlidhar lost his balance while trying to save his son, and both father and son fell into the gorge. They died in the incident.
The tragedy deepened moments later when Sangeeta, after witnessing her husband and son fall, also went over the hillside and died. Police and rescue personnel later recovered the bodies from the difficult terrain.
Police Investigating the Exact Sequence
Police officials have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar said authorities were working to establish the exact sequence of events.
The family reportedly belonged to Dhangar Pimpalgaon village in Jalna district, and relatives took the bodies to their native village after post-mortem procedures. Witness statements are also being recorded as part of the investigation.
Reports differ slightly over whether the dispute involved a demand for a new iPhone or difficulty paying instalments for an expensive phone. The precise financial circumstances behind the argument have not yet been fully established by police.
A Tragedy That Shocks the Community
The incident has left the local community deeply shaken. What began as a family disagreement over an expensive mobile phone escalated into a prolonged crisis and ultimately resulted in the deaths of three family members.
The tragedy also highlights how quickly an emotional confrontation can become dangerous when someone is in acute distress. Police and emergency personnel are continuing to examine witness accounts and other available information to determine exactly what happened during those final moments.
