A minor boy from Sukraput village under Dasamantpur block in Odisha’s Koraput district died by suicide after allegedly losing money in IPL betting.
The boy was found hanging from a tree in a cashew grove near his village on Monday morning.
Family members and villagers discovered the body and informed the police. Investigators said the boy had transferred Rs 4,000 from his father’s PhonePe account to place a bet on the IPL final match on Sunday. He reportedly lost the money and feared being reprimanded by his father.
Police from Dasamantpur reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem examination at the local community health centre. Officers registered a case and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, including the alleged online betting transaction.
Sources indicated that the boy had been distressed after losing the money. Authorities suspect that guilt and fear of punishment drove him to take the extreme step.
The incident has shocked the local community and reignited concerns about the growing influence of online betting among minors. Police urged parents to monitor children’s digital activities and restrict access to payment platforms.
Community leaders called for stronger awareness campaigns and stricter regulation of online betting to prevent similar tragedies.
