Ghaziabad tragedy: Three minor sisters jump from high-rise, online gaming obsession under scanner

Three minor sisters died by suicide in Ghaziabad after allegedly jumping from a high-rise. Police are investigating the role of online gaming addiction and analysing mobile phones and diaries

PGurus Newsdesk

February 4, 2026

Police examine role of mobile gaming after three sisters die by suicide in Ghaziabad

Three sisters die by suicide in Ghaziabad; police probe online gaming addiction angle

Three minor sisters died by suicide after allegedly jumping from the ninth floor of a residential high-rise in Ghaziabad in the early hours of Wednesday, police said. Investigators are examining whether excessive addiction to an online mobile game played a role in the tragedy.

The deceased—a 16-year-old girl and her two half-sisters aged 14 and 12—lived with their father, a forex trader, and their mothers. Police said the eldest child was born to the father’s first wife, while the younger two were born to his second wife.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Atul Kumar Singh, the incident occurred around 12.30 am. “All three girls were initially with their mothers. After some time, they went into the puja room and locked it from inside. Using a chair, they allegedly jumped out of the window one by one,” he said. The girls died on the spot.

Security guards and residents were alerted after hearing a loud noise, following which police were informed. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination.

Gaming addiction under investigation

Police said preliminary findings indicate that the girls were “highly addicted” to an online task-based Korean mobile game and spent long hours on their phones. Officers are analysing their mobile devices and online activity to determine the nature of the game and its psychological impact.

Investigators also recovered diaries containing handwritten notes. “The girls wrote that they were sorry and drew crying caricatures. They appeared to believe they were Koreans and portrayed themselves as Korean princesses, seemingly under the influence of the game,” Singh said.

Police noted that the girls had reportedly withdrawn from academics, with the eldest still studying in Class 4. The situation, officers said, worsened after the Covid-19 pandemic, when screen time and isolation increased.

Family aware of addiction

According to police, the family was aware of the girls’ excessive gaming habits and had tried to restrict mobile phone usage. “The phones would be taken away, but the girls managed to get them back. They followed a highly regimented routine together and remained inseparable,” Singh added.

Authorities said the diary entries provide extensive details about the girls’ daily life, gaming routines and emotional state. Further investigation is underway.

A wider warning sign

Mental-health experts have repeatedly warned about the risks of excessive screen time, gaming addiction and unsupervised online content among children and adolescents, particularly in the post-pandemic period. Police said the case highlights the need for early intervention, parental awareness and mental-health support for minors.

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