Twist in The Tale: iPhone Not The Reason, Kunal Wanted His Parents To Reconcile At Maharashtra’s Khuwadiya Hill

A 19-year-old teen who died after falling from a hill in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was reportedly hoping to see his estranged parents reconcile, relatives said, as police and fire brigade officials reconstructed the sequence of events that led to the deaths of the son and his parents during a rescue attempt.

Kunal Chandgude, his father Murlidhar and mother Sangeeta died after falling nearly 300 feet from Khuwadiya hill on Monday. Police said Kunal had been on the hilltop and repeatedly changed his position while relatives, police personnel and fire brigade officials tried to persuade him to return.

Father Tried To Rescue Son

According to the police reconstruction, Murlidhar eventually approached Kunal and tried to hold his hand. Both reportedly lost their balance and fell into the rocky terrain.

Seconds later, Sangeeta jumped from the hill after seeing her husband and son fall, police said.

The three bodies were later taken to Ghati Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Family Says Kunal Wanted Parents To Reconcile

Sangeeta's maternal relatives said the couple had been facing differences, including disputes reportedly linked to property, and that Kunal wanted his parents to resolve their differences.

They described Kunal as a bright student who had scored 82 per cent in his Class 10 CBSE examination and wanted to pursue MBBS.

The account has emerged as police continue examining the circumstances that led Kunal to the hill and the events surrounding the fatal rescue attempt.

Father's Family Gives Different Account

Murlidhar's sister, Shobha Rajendra Maske, offered a different account of the family's history.

She said Murlidhar and Sangeeta had a love marriage around 22 years ago and claimed that Murlidhar's parents had opposed the marriage and did not attend the wedding.

According to her, differences between Murlidhar and Sangeeta had continued over the years.

Family Had Recently Moved Into Rented House

Neighbours and people who knew the family said they had not noticed anything unusual in their day-to-day life.

Aditya Deshpande, caretaker of the house where the Chandgudes lived, said the family had moved into the rented property around four months ago. He described them as well-behaved and said Kunal generally kept to himself.

Murlidhar's colleagues also described him as quiet and disciplined. Pawan Otambe, a manager at Chaudhary Transport, said Murlidhar had worked there as a driver for around 10 years and that no complaints had been made against him.

How The Rescue Operation Turned Fatal

Kunal reportedly left home around 8 am on Monday, apparently for his classes. When he failed to reach his institute by 9.10 am, officials contacted his mother.

His location was traced to the hill between 10 am and 10.30 am. Villagers alerted police at around 10.45 am, following which the fire brigade was called at approximately 11.30 am.

When rescuers arrived, Kunal was on the hilltop and repeatedly changed his position. Officials tried to persuade him to come down and placed a safety net below as a precaution.

During the rescue attempt, Murlidhar went towards his son and tried to grab his hand. Both then fell from the hill, according to police.

Sangeeta jumped moments later, police said.

A fire brigade employee also suffered minor injuries during the operation.

Pet Dog Found Alone After Family's Deaths

The tragedy also left the family's pet dog, Sheru, alone inside their home.

The dog reportedly remained locked inside the house for two days after the deaths. Neighbours provided food and water before an animal welfare group rescued him.

Sheru has since been moved to a municipal shelter, while the animal welfare group has appealed for a family to adopt him permanently.