A newly married woman’s murder in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district has sparked shock and anger, after her family alleged that the killing stemmed from a dispute over her husband’s obsessive PUBG gaming addiction. The victim, Neha Patel, was found dead in her home in Gurh, and her husband, Ranjeet Patel, is currently absconding.
According to Neha’s relatives, the couple — married on May 5, 2025 — had been facing increasing tensions as Ranjeet allegedly spent most of his time playing PUBG instead of seeking employment. What began as a normal married life reportedly soured when Neha repeatedly urged him to reduce his gaming and take responsibility. Her family claimed that frequent quarrels broke out over this, and that pressure from ongoing dowry demands added to the strain.
On the night of the incident, an argument over PUBG allegedly escalated beyond control. Neha’s family accused Ranjeet of strangling her with a scarf in a fit of rage. They further alleged that after the killing, he phoned a relative to confess before fleeing the house, leaving Neha’s body behind.
Police have registered a murder case and launched an extensive search to locate the accused, who remains on the run. Investigators are examining the possibility that both gaming addiction–related conflict and dowry pressure may have played roles in the crime. Authorities have assured the family that every angle will be probed and that justice will be delivered.
Neha’s death has renewed concerns over extreme gaming dependency and its impact on mental health and domestic relationships, while also highlighting the persistent problem of dowry-related abuse in many parts of the country.
