In a deeply disturbing incident that has shaken Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Ghaziabad, three minor sisters allegedly died by suicideafter jumping from their ninth-floor apartment in the early hours of Wednesday. The tragedy has reignited urgent concerns over online gaming addiction, teenage mental health, and parental supervision in the digital age.
The victims Pakhi (12), Prachi (14) and Vishika (16) reportedly left behind a handwritten note that read, &ldquo;Sorry, Papa.&rdquo; Police say the sisters were obsessed with an online Korean task-based game, which investigators are now examining as a possible contributing factor.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Atul Kumar Singh, the incident unfolded around 2.15 am. The girls were initially with their mothers before locking themselves inside the puja room. Using a chair, they allegedly climbed out of a window and jumped one after the other. All three died on the spot. The noise alerted security guards, neighbours and family members, but by the time help arrived, it was too late.
The sisters lived with their father, a forex trader, and their mothers. Police confirmed that the eldest was born from the father&rsquo;s first marriage, while the two younger girls were from the second. Investigators revealed that the girls shared an extreme level of co-dependence, following identical routines and rarely acting independently.
Crucially, police recovered an eight-page diary detailing their daily lives, gaming habits and emotional state. One note written in Hindi urged readers to go through the diary, claiming everything written was true. It also included a hand-drawn crying caricature, pointing to emotional distress.
Officials say the girls had begun identifying themselves as Korean characters, referring to themselves as &ldquo;Korean princesses&rdquo; under the influence of the game. Their academic life had also suffered severely; the eldest, aged 16, was reportedly still studying at a primary level. The addiction is believed to have intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic, when screen time increased and social interaction reduced.
Family members were aware of the excessive mobile phone usage and had attempted to restrict access, but the devices were repeatedly retrieved. Investigators are now analysing the phones to understand the game&rsquo;s structure, tasks and psychological impact.
As the community mourns, the tragedy stands as a grim warning about the unchecked influence of digital platforms on vulnerable young minds.
(NOTE: Teenagers should keep away from any online game, parents should ensure that kids don&rsquo;t get addict to such gaming, and suicide is not solution to any problem.)

Police examine Ghaziabad apartment tragedy

Tragic loss of three sisters highlights dangers of unchecked online gaming addiction

Ghaziabad sisters’ deaths raise online game alarm

Tragic loss of three sisters highlights dangers of unchecked online gaming addiction

February 4, 2026 | 14:55 IST