Early Tuesday morning, the bodies of Pakhi (12), Prachi (14), and Vishika (16) were discovered in what local authorities are investigating as a coordinated suicide linked to a predatory "task-based" online challenge. The sisters, daughters of local forex trader Chetan Kumar, reportedly left behind an extensive eight-page diary detailing a descent into a virtual world that ultimately demanded their lives.
From Lockdown Hobby to Lethal Obsession
According to family statements, the sisters’ fixation began during the isolation of COVID-19 lockdowns. What started as a distraction evolved into a consuming addiction to a Korean "lover" game. The diary entries suggest the girls had completely synchronized their daily existence with the game’s mechanics, even abandoning their real identities to adopt Korean pseudonyms.
The father, Chetan Kumar, noted that the sisters had increasingly isolated themselves, frequently skipping school to satisfy the requirements of the platform. Investigators believe the game operated on a system of 50 escalating tasks, designed to manipulate the players' psyche over time. The final task, documented in their confession, mandated the fatal act.
Police Investigation and Digital Forensics
Ghaziabad police have ruled out the possibility of an accident, confirming that the evidence points toward a planned, self-inflicted tragedy. Law enforcement has seized several mobile devices from the residence for deep-dive forensic analysis to trace the game’s origin and identify any potential "handlers" or moderators who may have encouraged the girls.
"The psychological grip this platform held over these young victims is evident in their writings," a senior official stated. "This incident echoes the dark patterns seen in previous digital threats like the 'Blue Whale' challenge, where vulnerable users are coerced into self-harm through gamified milestones."
A Call for Parental Vigilance
The tragedy has prompted administrative and police authorities to issue a stern advisory to parents. Officials are urging families to maintain strict supervision over their children's digital footprints, citing the ease with which predatory software can bypass traditional safety perceptions.
The case serves as a grim reminder of the "hidden" pandemic of digital grooming and the psychological vulnerabilities of the "lockdown generation." As the investigation continues, the focus remains on how a virtual simulation managed to override the survival instincts of three young siblings, leaving a family and a city searching for answers in the aftermath of a digital-age tragedy.
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