A tragic incident linked to online gaming addiction has shaken Shahdol district, where a man allegedly poisoned his family after falling deep into debt. The man and his teenage daughter have died, while his wife remains in critical condition.

The incident occurred in the Purani Basti area. According to police, Shankar Lal Gupta, burdened by heavy financial losses from online gaming, allegedly gave his wife and daughter a cold drink mixed with poison before consuming it himself.

Sixteen-year-old Swati Gupta died during treatment at the medical college. After returning home from her last rites, Shankar Lal Gupta’s condition worsened and he also died. His wife, Rajkumari Gupta, is currently admitted to the ICU and remains critical.

The couple’s 15-year-old son, Aniket Gupta, was not at home at the time of the incident and survived. He has since lost his father and sister, while his mother continues to battle for her life.

According to preliminary findings, Shankar Lal Gupta had become addicted to the online betting game “Aviator,” believing it would help improve his family’s financial condition. Instead, he reportedly lost around ₹4 lakh and accumulated significant debt.

Gupta previously ran a mobile shop in Anuppur district, which he allegedly sold to repay loans. In recent months, he had been supporting his family by running a small roadside stall selling mobile accessories. Despite this, financial pressure and mounting debt reportedly took a severe toll on his mental health.