Pune: 15-Year-Old Boy Jumps from 14th Floor in Kiwale; Gaming Addiction and Blue Whale Challenge Suspected
Pune: 15-Year-Old Boy Jumps from 14th Floor in Kiwale; Gaming Addiction and Blue Whale Challenge Suspected
A shocking incident has emerged from Kiwale, Pimpri Chinchwad, where a 15-year-old boy took his life by jumping from the 14 floor of a high-end housing society. The tragedy is believed to have allegedly stemmed from the boy’s addiction to the BlueWhale challenge game.
The boy, who was known for his academic excellence and had recently passed the 9th grade with good marks, became increasingly engrossed in a mobile game over the past few months. His father, who works abroad, returned home for a period, during which the boy showed signs of returning to his usual social self. However, after his father’s departure, the boy relapsed into his gaming addiction, isolating himself in his room and often talking to himself.
The situation escalated on July 25, a day when schools were closed due to heavy rainfall. The boy spent the entire day playing the game on his laptop. His mother, who was already worried about her younger child having a fever, pleaded with him to come out for dinner. Although he did, he quickly returned to his room afterward.
Around 1 am as his mother remained awake attending to her younger child’s fever, a message in the housing society’s WhatsApp group reported that a boy had fallen and was injured. The mother rushed to her son’s room, only to find it empty. In a state of panic, she hurried to the scene, discovering her son lying in a pool of blood. Despite immediate efforts to save him, doctors at the hospital declared him dead on arrival.
A suicide note was found in the boy’s room with the words ‘log off – I quit’ written on it. Additionally, police discovered a piece of paper containing writing in the coding language of the game he was addicted to. Authorities are currently investigating the meaning behind the notes. Upon receiving the devastating news, the boy’s father rushed back from abroad.
According to the police, “The boy’s father is employed abroad while his mother is a homemaker. He was a bright student who excelled academically. However, in recent months, he became deeply involved in a mobile game, leading to his isolation and deteriorating mental health. Despite his father’s brief return, the boy could not break free from his addiction, ultimately leading to this tragic incident.”
