Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Hill Tragedy Spurs Dispute Over iPhone Narrative
A family of three died after falling from a hill in Maharashtra.
The people were Kunal, his mother Sangita, and his father Murlidhar.
Early reports said Kunal was upset about paying for an iPhone and that this caused a family argument.
Sangita’s sister said that story was only a rumour and asked people to stop sharing it.
Relatives said Kunal wanted his parents to resolve their problems and stay together.
They also mentioned disagreements involving the couple and property.
Police are studying videos made by Sangita and other information about the family.
Police sources also said Kunal had previously gone to the same hill intending to die by suicide.
Investigators have not established one confirmed cause for the tragedy.
Kunal Chandgude, his mother Sangita, and his father Murlidhar died after falling from a hill into a 250-foot-deep gorge on August 21.
Initial reports linked the incident to Kunal’s alleged inability to pay Apple iPhone EMI instalments, but relatives called that explanation a rumour.
Relatives said disputes between Kunal’s parents, including property-related tensions, may have affected the family and that Kunal wanted them to reconcile.
Police are examining Sangita’s videos, family circumstances, and reports that Kunal had previously visited the same hill intending to die by suicide.
Reports differ on Kunal’s age, describing him as either 18 or 19; the cause of the deaths remains under investigation.
- Who
- Kunal Chandgude, Sangita Chandgude, and Murlidhar Chandgude died; Pallavi Patil and other relatives disputed the iPhone explanation.
- What
- The three family members fell from a hill into a gorge; reports say Murlidhar tried to reach Kunal, while Sangita later fell or jumped after witnessing the incident.
- When
- August 21; Murlidhar reportedly returned home two days earlier after being away for about three months.
- Where
- A hill in Waluj, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The cause is under investigation. Reports cited an iPhone EMI dispute, while relatives and police inquiries pointed to possible relationship, property, and family tensions.
iPhone EMI Explanation
Family Discord Explanation
Possible trigger
iPhone EMI Explanation
Initial reports said Kunal could not pay his Apple iPhone instalments, sought help from his parents, and became involved in a dispute before the deaths.
Family Discord Explanation
Relatives rejected the iPhone account and said disputes between Kunal’s parents, including property-related tensions, may have been more significant.
Kunal’s intentions
iPhone EMI Explanation
The initial account said Kunal threatened to jump from the hill and that his father tried to stop him.
Family Discord Explanation
Relatives said Kunal wanted his parents to resolve their differences and live together, rather than threatening them over an iPhone.
Online reporting
iPhone EMI Explanation
Videos and social-media posts circulated the iPhone explanation after the tragedy.
Family Discord Explanation
Pallavi Patil said those posts spread a false narrative, caused pain, and should stop until the facts are known.
- Victims
- Kunal Chandgude, Sangita Chandgude, and Murlidhar Chandgude
- Date
- August 21
- Location
- A hill and 250-foot-deep gorge in Waluj, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- Reported iPhone claim
- Initial accounts linked the incident to unpaid Apple iPhone EMI instalments
- Relative’s response
- Pallavi Patil called the iPhone account a rumour and said online videos were hurting the family
- Family tensions
- Reports cited strained relations between Kunal’s parents and property-related disagreements
- Police inquiries
- Investigators are examining Sangita’s videos and Kunal’s reported earlier visit to the same hill
