The incident was reported from Shriram Colony under the jurisdiction of the Piplani police station. The deceased, identified as Ansh Sahu, was a Class 8 student and the only child of his parents, both of whom are teachers at a private school in the city. Police said Ansh was found hanging inside his home on Monday afternoon.
According to the family’s statement to the police, Ansh had developed a habit of spending long hours playing online games on his mobile phone over the past few weeks. Despite repeated counselling by his parents, his gaming reportedly began affecting his studies and daily routine. Concerned about the changes in his behaviour, the family had taken away his mobile phone a few days before the incident.
Police said that on Monday, Ansh’s parents had gone out to attend a thirteenth-day death ritual of a relative. When they returned home later in the afternoon, they found the minor hanging in his room. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Neighbours described Ansh as a quiet and reserved child. Some residents said that in recent days he appeared increasingly withdrawn and preferred to remain alone, a behavioural shift that investigators are now examining as part of the inquiry.
Piplani police station in-charge Chandrika Yadav said that the initial findings point towards excessive mobile gaming as a possible factor, but stressed that no conclusions have been drawn. “Prima facie, the case appears to be linked to online gaming addiction. However, we are probing all angles, including whether the child was under pressure due to any online game task or challenge,” she said.
Police have seized the mobile phone for forensic examination and are reviewing the child’s online activity, including gaming applications, chat histories and usage patterns. Statements of family members, neighbours and school staff are also being recorded to understand Ansh’s mental state in the days leading up to the incident.
The case has once again highlighted growing concerns among parents, educators and mental health professionals about children’s exposure to online gaming platforms and the lack of structured monitoring. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and further details will emerge after the digital and forensic analysis is completed.
