Three sisters died after jumping from the ninth floor of their apartment building in Ghaziabad, a city in India’s National Capital Region outside New Delhi, in an incident that has drawn national attention and prompted renewed scrutiny of adolescent mental health, digital habits, and family dynamics in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deaths occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, February 4, when police responded to reports that three minors had fallen from a high-rise residential complex.
Authorities and family members have said the girls had recently been denied access to a mobile phone amid concerns that they had become excessively involved in online gaming. While investigators have not directly linked a specific game to the incident, the circumstances described by police and relatives have raised difficult questions about the pressures facing young people and the challenges parents encounter in managing screen time and online influences.
The sisters were identified as Nishika, 16, Prachi, 14, and Pakhi, 12, according to police and local media reports, though the eldest has also been identified by another name, Vishika, in some accounts. Officials confirmed that all three were daughters of Chetan Kumar, a resident of the apartment complex where the incident occurred. Police said the girls jumped from the balcony of their family’s ninth-floor apartment one after the other. An investigation is ongoing, and authorities have emphasized that conclusions about motive or causation will be made only after all evidence has been reviewed.
Incident Details and Initial Police Findings
Police said they received information around 2:15 a.m. local time that Three Sisters Die After Jumping from 9th Floor in a residential building in Ghaziabad. When officers arrived at the scene, they confirmed that the three minors had died as a result of the fall. The area was secured, and forensic and investigative procedures were initiated as part of a standard response to an unexplained death.
According to statements cited by NDTV and the Press Trust of India, investigators recovered an eight-page handwritten note from the family’s apartment. The contents of the diary are being examined as part of the inquiry. Police officials have said the note expressed the girls’ deep interest in online gaming and their fascination with Korean culture, but they cautioned that the note does not, by itself, establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between any specific game and the deaths.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nimish Patel told local media that the investigation had not identified a particular game by name. “The investigation so far has not revealed any specific game name,” he said, adding that it appeared the girls were influenced by aspects of Korean popular culture. Authorities have stressed that no definitive link has been established between a specific online platform or game and the incident.
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: Three minor sisters died by suicide after jumping from the 9th floor of a building in Bharat City Society after their parents objected to their excessive Korean online gaming habits
— IANS (@ians_india) February 4, 2026
(Visuals from the society) pic.twitter.com/8vzfdsxHoJ
Police have also stated that the sisters had not been attending school for approximately two years and largely remained at home during that period. Investigators are reviewing school records, medical histories, and digital devices as part of a broader effort to understand the circumstances leading up to the incident. Officials have not indicated whether any charges or legal actions are anticipated, emphasizing that the case remains under active investigation.
Family Statements and Reports of Online Gaming Concerns
Family members told investigators and local reporters that the sisters had been spending a significant amount of time engaged in online gaming for more than two years. According to accounts provided by their father, the girls’ use of mobile phones and online platforms increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by prolonged lockdowns, remote schooling, and reduced in-person social interaction for many families across India.
Chetan Kumar told PTI that his daughters had been playing an online game for two-and-a-half to three years and frequently spoke about traveling to South Korea. He said the girls’ interest extended beyond gaming to include Korean music and cultural content. While he acknowledged that the family had concerns about the amount of time the girls spent on their phones, he said he was not aware of the full extent of their online activity or the nature of the game they were playing.
According to police statements cited by NDTV, the parents had recently restricted the girls’ access to a mobile phone. Deputy Commissioner Patel said that the denial of phone access in the days leading up to the incident “appeared to have affected them,” though he reiterated that investigators are still working to determine how various factors may have contributed.
In interviews with local media, Kumar expressed shock and regret over the loss of his daughters. “This should not happen to any parent or child,” he said, adding that had he known more about the game or its influence, he would not have allowed his daughters to engage with it. Family members have cooperated with authorities as the investigation continues.
Police have indicated that they are examining the contents of the recovered note, the girls’ digital activity, and statements from relatives and neighbors. They have also said they are consulting with experts as needed to assess whether there were warning signs or contributing factors that could help explain the sequence of events.
Broader Context and Ongoing Investigation
The deaths have sparked widespread discussion in India about children’s online behavior, parental supervision, and mental health support for adolescents. During the pandemic, many families reported increased reliance on digital devices for education, entertainment, and social connection. Experts have noted that while online platforms can offer benefits, excessive or unsupervised use can sometimes coincide with social withdrawal or emotional distress, particularly among young people.
Authorities in Ghaziabad have said the investigation will focus on establishing a clear timeline of events, understanding the family’s dynamics, and determining whether any external factors played a role. Police have not suggested foul play, and there has been no indication that the incident involved criminal activity beyond the deaths themselves. Officials have emphasized the importance of avoiding speculation while the inquiry is underway.
The case has also drawn attention to the challenges faced by parents attempting to set boundaries around technology use. Law enforcement officials have refrained from assigning blame, instead focusing on gathering facts. They have reiterated that the presence of an online game or cultural interest does not automatically equate to causation, and that each case must be evaluated on its own merits.
Mental health professionals and child welfare advocates have underscored the importance of early intervention and open communication within families, particularly when children display changes in behavior or social engagement. While such commentary has emerged in public discourse following the incident, police have confined their statements to the specifics of the case and the evidence at hand.
As the investigation continues, authorities have said further details will be released if and when appropriate. For now, the focus remains on completing a thorough inquiry and providing accurate information to the public. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or mental health challenges, support resources are available. In India, local helplines and mental health services can provide confidential assistance to individuals in need.