The deaths of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad have taken a disturbing turn after their father told investigators that the girls had repeatedly insisted on being taken to South Korea, saying they would “die” if their demand was not met.
The sisters, aged 11, 14 and 16, allegedly jumped from their ninth-floor apartment in the early hours of Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the neighbourhood and prompting a detailed police investigation.
## Father recalls insistence on Korea
According to the father, his final conversation with the girls took place around 10 pm on Tuesday, when he asked them to eat dinner and go to sleep. He said the girls once again pressed him to take them to South Korea, a request he refused.
“They kept saying they wanted to go to Korea and study there. They told me that if they were not sent there, they would die,” he told police.
He also claimed that the girls had stopped their formal studies nearly two years ago and had become increasingly immersed in Korean culture.
## Deep immersion in Korean pop culture
Police officials said the investigation so far indicates that the sisters spent long hours watching K-dramas, K-pop music videos and Korean dance content online. The father alleged that they had even changed their names and reacted angrily to references to India, at times skipping meals.
However, police stressed that fascination with foreign culture alone cannot explain the tragedy and warned against drawing premature conclusions.
## No evidence of online ‘task-based games’
While initial claims linked the deaths to online task-based games, Ghaziabad police said no such evidence has been found. A mobile phone recovered from the room belonged to the girls’ mother and did not contain suspicious messages or gaming activity.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nimish Patil said the case is being investigated as a suicide, and all family statements are being carefully verified. Police are also attempting to trace previously used mobile phones.
## Call for caution and mental health awareness
Authorities have urged restraint and responsible reporting, emphasising the need for greater awareness around children’s mental health, online influence and parental support.
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