Bhubaneswar: In a tragic incident that brings to the fore the growing menace of online gaming addiction, a 20-year-old youth allegedly died by suicide in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday. The deceased, Anand Mirdha of Keertania village under Bhogarai block, had reportedly been addicted to the popular mobile game Free Fire for nearly a year.
According to preliminary investigations, Anand’s family had repeatedly objected to his prolonged gaming habits. Matters reportedly escalated when Anand demanded a new mobile phone to continue playing, a request his family refused. Unable to cope with the restrictions, Anand allegedly hanged himself from a tree near his home. The police has recovered the body and launched an investigation, though no official statements have been issued by the family or authorities so far.
This incident adds to a disturbing pattern emerging in the state in recent days, underscoring the darker side of online gaming. In a separate case from Jaleswar in Balasore, a private tutor, Sourajit Ray, allegedly attempted suicide after losing Rs 5 lakh through an online gaming app. He remains hospitalised with serious injuries.
Meanwhile, in Bhubaneswar’s Laxmisagar area, 23-year-old Bikash Nayak was found dead under mysterious circumstances. His family later revealed that Bikash had lost over Rs 7 lakh on online betting platforms and had been under severe mental stress.
Amid rising concerns over the social and financial risks posed by unregulated online gaming, the Central Government has tightened regulations in the sector. Effective from October 1, 2023, a 30 per cent income tax is levied on net winnings, along with a 28 per cent GST. Gaming platforms, as per regulations, must now register under the IGST Act, while agencies have been empowered to block illegal apps.
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