Ghaziabad: New details have surfaced in the heartbreaking death of three minor sisters who fell from a ninth-floor apartment in Ghaziabad on Wednesday, prompting investigators to examine the role of social media, family pressures and emotional distress in the incident.
The girls — Nishika (16), Prachi (14) and Pakhi (12) — were reportedly active on social media platforms under Korean-inspired names and had built a noticeable online following. Police officials said the sisters were deeply drawn to Korean pop culture, including television dramas, music and fashion, and spent a large part of their time engaging with related online content.
According to preliminary findings, tensions at home escalated after their father, Chetan Kumar, allegedly took away their mobile phones. Kumar, a trader, is said to be under heavy financial strain, with debts amounting to nearly ₹2 crore. In an effort to manage household expenses, he reportedly sold the phones to clear pending electricity dues.
Investigators believe the loss of phone access caused significant emotional turmoil for the sisters, who were unable to watch their favourite shows or interact with their online audience. During a heated exchange, the father is also alleged to have made remarks about marrying them off, which police suspect may have further distressed the girls.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the sisters jointly managed at least one social media account, where they posted videos and photos inspired by Korean entertainment trends. The account had attracted a substantial number of followers, reflecting their strong digital engagement.
Neighbours told police that the three siblings shared an unusually close bond and were rarely seen apart. They studied, ate and socialised together, and their increasing screen time had been a recurring point of concern within the household.
Family members told investigators that the girls would often express a desire to visit or settle in South Korea someday.
Police officials stated that they are reviewing the sisters’ online activity, phone usage patterns and the broader family environment to reconstruct the events leading up to the tragedy. Statements from relatives, neighbours and other witnesses are being recorded, and the probe remains ongoing.
Clinical psychologist Shweta Sharma, speaking to PTI, said that the growing fascination with Korean pop culture among young adolescents often stems from unmet emotional needs at home. She noted that limited parental availability and unrestricted access to digital platforms can push children to seek comfort in fictional worlds that emphasise friendship, belonging and emotional connection.
Her observations echo earlier incidents, including a 2024 case in Maharashtra where three schoolgirls attempted to travel to South Korea to meet their favourite K-pop band, BTS, without passports or money. The girls were intercepted and safely returned.
The Ghaziabad case has also revived memories of the infamous 2017 “Blue Whale” challenge, an online phenomenon that allegedly lured teenagers into a series of escalating tasks culminating in self-harm and suicide, claiming lives across several countries.
Authorities have urged parents to remain attentive to their children’s emotional well-being and online behaviour, stressing the need for open communication as the investigation continues.
