PUBG Addiction Turns Deadly: MP Woman Dies After Fight With Husband Over PUBG

In Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, a tragic incident unfolded when 24-year-old Neha Patel was allegedly strangled to death by her husband, Ranjeet Patel, using a towel late Saturday night. The couple, married just six months since May 25, had frequent disputes over Ranjeet's unemployment and his severe addiction to the mobile battle royale game PUBG, which consumed hours of his day. Police reports indicate that Neha urged him to seek employment, triggering the fatal argument; Ranjeet then fled after sending a brazen message to her brother-in-law stating he had killed her and to "take her back." Her family discovered her body with clear strangulation marks, and she was pronounced dead on site.​

DSP Headquarters Udit Mishra confirmed the case registration, noting preliminary evidence of ongoing conflicts tied to gaming habits. Multiple police teams are scouring the area for the absconding suspect, with post-mortem examinations underway to corroborate the cause of death. Neha's brother, Sher Bahadur Patel, accused Ranjeet's family of abetting harassment through persistent dowry demands, including a car, despite prior payments. He demanded arrests of the husband, his parents, brother, and sister-in-law, decrying delays in action and vowing to pursue justice.​

This case underscores the escalating dangers of PUBG addiction in India, where studies show nearly 30% of players are at risk or fully addicted, often leading to aggression, relationship breakdowns, and violence. Research highlights how excessive play—sometimes 3 out of 10 players report strained ties—fosters anti-social behavior, with media documenting suicides, self-harm, and familial conflicts nationwide. In India alone, over 120 million users once played daily before partial bans, amplifying psychosocial risks especially among youth.​

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Experts link such incidents to the game's violent mechanics, which correlate with reduced empathy and heightened impulsivity, as seen in prior cases of runaways, poisonings, and assaults. Despite regional bans in places like Gujarat and Telangana, addiction persists, straining mental health and prompting calls for interventions like counseling and parental monitoring. This murder serves as a stark warning amid India's gaming boom.​

Authorities continue the probe, urging witnesses to come forward. As investigations deepen, the case spotlights urgent needs for awareness campaigns on gaming disorders, potentially classified alongside other behavioral addictions, to prevent further tragedies in vulnerable households.​

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