‘If a person doesn’t value you…’: Woman who died in Maharashtra hill tragedy spoke about relationships in last YT video

A woman whose YouTube videos focused on relationships and societal expectations died alongside her husband and son during a tragic incident on a hill in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Sangita Chandgude, 46, had uploaded a video the day before her death discussing the importance of mutual respect in relationships. Her husband, Murlidhar Chandgude, 48, and their 19-year-old son, Kunal, were also killed in the incident that occurred on Friday at Khavda Hill in the Tisgaon area under Waluj MIDC police jurisdiction. According to local authorities, the tragedy began after Kunal climbed onto the hill following an argument with his parents over his request for a new mobile phone. His father and mother followed him to try to convince him to descend. As the situation escalated, several individuals, including police officers, firefighters, villagers, and the local sarpanch, arrived at the scene to assist. Rescue teams attempted to deploy a safety net at the base of the hill, but Kunal kept shifting positions near the edge, complicating efforts to predict where he would leap. Police stated that Kunal seemed intent on taking drastic action. The standoff lasted nearly three hours. Around 1 p.m., Murlidhar approached his son and pleaded with him to move away from the edge. Moments later, Kunal jumped, and his father, in an attempt to pull him back, also fell to his death. Sangita, who was nearby, was caught in the fall as well, leading to her demise. Sangita had built a modest online presence through her YouTube channel, which attracted more than 30,000 subscribers. In her final video, she discussed the dynamics of relationships, emphasizing the need for reciprocity and mutual appreciation. She used the metaphor of a roti, or flatbread, to illustrate her point, stating that just as a roti must be cooked on both sides to be edible, a relationship requires effort and care from both partners. She warned against investing too much in one-sided relationships and suggested walking away from such situations. In another video, Sangita addressed the pressures faced by women in society. She highlighted how people often criticize women regardless of their choices, whether they have jobs, remain at home, interact with others, or keep to themselves. She encouraged viewers to disregard external judgments and focus on living authentically for themselves and their families. The incident has drawn attention not only due to the tragic loss of life but also because of Sangita’s recent public reflections on personal and social issues. Local officials confirmed that the family had been involved in a dispute over the mobile phone, which led to the son’s decision to climb the hill. Despite attempts by multiple parties to intervene, the outcome proved fatal for all three members of the family. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, focusing on whether additional measures could have prevented the deaths. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of three individuals whose lives were cut short in a moment of intense familial conflict. Residents of the area expressed shock at the tragedy, noting the rarity of such incidents in the region. Some questioned why the young man felt compelled to take such a risk, while others pointed to the broader issue of communication within families and the pressures placed on youth today. The police have launched an inquiry into the sequence of events leading to the deaths, aiming to determine if any protocols were overlooked or if further steps could have been taken to prevent the tragedy. They have also begun reaching out to the family to provide support during this difficult time. The incident underscores the fragile balance between personal decisions and the consequences they can entail, particularly when emotions run high. As the investigation unfolds, the community awaits clarity on the events that led to the loss of three lives, hoping to learn lessons that might prevent similar tragedies in the future.