A Tragic Day on the Hill: Understanding What Happened in Maharashtra

Content Warning: This article discusses a real-life event involving suicide and loss of life. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help immediately. You are not alone.

Crisis Helplines (India):

• iCall (TISS): 9152987821 | icall@tiss.edu
• Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-2662-345 / 1800-2333-330
• AASRA: 91-22-27546669
• Sneha Foundation: 044-24640050
• Emergency: 112

What Happened? (The Simple Version)

On a Friday in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra, an 18-year-old boy named Kunal Chandwade climbed a hill called Khavdya Dongar. He sat near the edge for three hours while many people—his parents, villagers, the village leader (sarpanch), police, and firefighters—tried to convince him to come back to safety.

Sadly, Kunal jumped. His father, Murlidhar, tried to catch him. Both fell and died. Kunal’s mother, Sangeeta, who had been talking to him the whole time, also passed away shortly after.

Why Was Kunal Upset?

According to neighbors and villagers:

• Kunal wanted an expensive mobile phone (reportedly an iPhone).
• His parents said no—they could not afford it or felt it wasn’t necessary.
• Kunal became very distressed and left home.
• He went to the hill around 10:00 AM and stayed near the dangerous edge.

Who Tried to Help? (A Timeline of the 3 Hours)

What Did the Rescuers Do?

• Fire brigade set up safety nets below the cliff.
• Everyone kept talking to Kunal—parents, sarpanch, villagers—to keep him engaged.
• The sarpanch’s iPhone offer was a tactic: keep Kunal talking longer so rescuers could reach him.
• Difficulty: Kunal kept moving along the edge, making it hard for nets and rescuers to stay positioned.

Important Things to Understand

This was not about a phone. It was about pain.

When someone feels trapped, hopeless, or like they have "no solution," a small trigger (like being told "no") can become the breaking point. The phone was the spark, but the fire was built from deeper feelings—pressure, helplessness, or feeling unheard.

Kunal’s parents loved him. They rushed to the hill. His mother talked to him for three hours. His father died trying to save him. This tragedy broke a whole family.

What Happens Now?

1. Police are investigating the exact sequence of events.
2. Statements are being recorded from witnesses (villagers, rescuers, family).
3. Bodies were sent for postmortem (medical examination).
4. Family took the bodies to their home village, Dhangar Pimpalgaon in Jalna district, for final rites.

What Can We Learn? (For Everyone—Teens, Parents, Friends)

If You’re Feeling Like Kunal Did…

If You’re a Parent or Adult…

• Listen without judging—even over "small" things.
• Don’t dismiss feelings because the trigger seems minor.
• Stay connected daily, not just during crises.
• Know the helplines and keep them handy.

If You’re a Friend or Bystander…

• Take every threat seriously.
• Call a helpline or emergency services (112) immediately.
• Stay with the person (or keep them on the phone) until help arrives.
• Don’t try to "fix" it alone—get professionals involved.

Summary

• Who: Kunal Chandwade (18), his father Murlidhar, mother Sangeeta.
• Where: Khavdya Dongar hill, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
• Trigger: Parents refused to buy an expensive phone.
• Duration: 3-hour standoff (10 AM – 1 PM).
• Rescuers: Parents, villagers, sarpanch, police, fire brigade.
• Outcome: Kunal jumped; father tried to catch him; both fell. Mother died shortly after.
• Now: Police investigating; family grieving in their home village.
• Lesson: Emotional pain can hide behind small triggers. Talking saves lives.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Was the iPhone offer a bribe?

No. The sarpanch explained it was a tactic to keep Kunal talking and delay any impulsive action while rescuers prepared. It was a desperate attempt to buy time.

2. Why didn’t the safety nets save them?

Kunal kept moving along the cliff edge, so the nets couldn’t stay under him. When he jumped, his father lunged forward—both went over the edge together, beyond the nets.

3. Could the parents have done something differently?

They did everything they could—rushed there, talked for hours, father risked his life. In crisis moments, even loving, attentive parents can lose a child. This is not their fault.

4. What if I can’t afford therapy or counseling?

Helplines are FREE. iCall, Vandrevala, AASRA, and many others offer free, confidential support by phone or email. You don’t need money to get help.

5. How do I know if a friend is really serious or just venting?

Treat every mention of suicide or self-harm as serious. It’s better to overreact and call a helpline than to underreact and lose them. Let professionals assess the risk.

Final Thought

Three lives ended on that hill. But your story doesn’t have to.

If you’re hurting, please reach out right now. Call a helpline. Text a friend. Walk into a teacher’s office. Knock on a neighbor’s door.

You are not alone. You are not a burden. There IS another solution—even if you can’t see it yet.

Save these numbers. Share them. You never know whose life they’ll save.

Article based on reporting from Times of India. Written to honor the memory of Kunal, Murlidhar, and Sangeeta—and to prevent future tragedies through awareness and compassion.