ANDHRA PRADESH: Constable Dies by Suicide After Online Gaming Addiction
In a heartbreaking turn, 27-year-old constable K. Sandeep Kumar took his own life on the banks of Mahbubsagar Lake in Sangareddy, Telangana.
The incident, reported on November 3, 2025, has left his family and colleagues reeling from the shock.
Sandeep, a 2024 recruit at the Sangareddy Town police station, hailed from Kalher village in the district.
He had been serving for just a year, yet the weight of mounting debts proved too much to bear.
Roots of the Tragedy
Sandeep’s downward spiral began with heavy losses in online gaming and betting.
Sources close to the family say he racked up around 15 lakh rupees in debts, often borrowing from friends and relatives to chase quick wins.
The pressure mounted as repayments loomed, turning a promising career into a source of endless stress.
His father had passed away from illness 15 years earlier, leaving Sandeep as the sole provider for his mother and unmarried sister.
Final Words in a Digital Farewell
Before heading to the lake bund, Sandeep created a WhatsApp group called “Sandeep Wellwishers” with about 20 contacts, including fellow officers and friends.
In a poignant message, he wrote, “Amma, chelli, sorry,” pleading for forgiveness and sparing his loved ones further pain.
The note laid bare his guilt, hinting at the hellish cycle of addiction that gripped him.
It arrived just moments before locals discovered his body, revolver still nearby.
Questions Surround the Weapon
Sandeep used a department-issued 9-mm pistol, reportedly taken from the station’s Bell of Arms storage.
Police are probing how he accessed it without detection, raising concerns over internal protocols.
The body underwent autopsy, and a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita for suspicious death has been filed. Crime scene teams recovered the weapon for forensic analysis.
Ongoing Probe and Community Grief
Sangareddy DSP Sattaiah Goud confirmed the financial angle is under verification through family interviews.
SP Paritosh Pankaj visited the site, vowing a thorough inquiry to uncover any lapses.
This marks the fifth such police suicide in the district over two months, spotlighting the hidden toll of personal struggles on those sworn to protect.
As the community mourns, calls grow for better mental health support in uniform services.
The loss echoes a stark reminder: even guardians of the law need safeguards against silent battles.