A 19-year-old man and his parents died after falling from a hill in India following an alleged argument over the payment for a new mobile phone.

Kunal Chandgude and his parents, Murlidhar Chandgude, 48, and Sangita Chandgude, fell from Khawadya Hill in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Friday, August 21.

According to Indian media reports, the incident began after Kunal allegedly argued with his parents over payment for a new phone he had bought.

Kunal, a high-achieving student preparing for the NEET exam, had purchased an iPhone. A severe domestic argument broke out when his parents informed him they could not afford the monthly Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs).

Kunal later went to the hill and stood near the edge of a cliff, reportedly threatening to jump. His parents followed him and tried to persuade him to return home.

Police officers and fire personnel also arrived and spent about three hours attempting to calm him down and prevent him from jumping.

Witness Sanjay Jadhav told NDTV that Kunal’s parents and others made several attempts to convince him to move away from the edge.

“The parents and others tried very hard to make him understand, but he didn’t listen and kept standing on the edge of the hill. Police officials were also there,” Jadhav said.

He added, “The mother kept pleading with him not to jump.”

At about 1 p.m., Murlidhar reportedly moved closer to his son in an attempt to pull him away from the edge. Kunal then fell from the cliff, and his father also fell while trying to save him.

Sangita reportedly fell shortly afterwards. Reports said she may have jumped after witnessing her husband and son fall.

Police recovered the three bodies and sent them for post-mortem examinations.

According to NDTV, Kunal’s parents had been living separately after their eldest son died from an illness about six years ago.

The tragedy came shortly after Sangita posted a video on YouTube in which she said there was “no point in doing anything for a person who does not value love.” She reportedly had more than 30,000 subscribers and regularly shared videos featuring her son.