Online Betting and Lavish Lifestyle

Hyderabad: July 3 – In a chilling incident that underscores the growing dangers of online betting and unchecked youth behavior, a 17-year-old boy from Gopanpally, Hyderabad, allegedly murdered his father after a heated dispute over his extravagant lifestyle and misuse of funds.

The victim, K. Hanumanthu, 37, a father of two, had reportedly deposited ₹6 lakh into his elder son’s bank account for safekeeping. However, the younger son, a school dropout battling addiction to alcohol and online gambling, accessed the account without permission and spent the entire amount on betting and luxuries.

According to police reports, Hanumanthu discovered the financial misappropriation and confronted his younger son. A fierce argument ensued, during which Hanumanthu demanded that the money be returned. Angered by the confrontation and fearing further consequences, the teen allegedly hatched a plan to eliminate his father.

On Tuesday night, under the guise of returning the money, the boy lured his father to a secluded area near their residence. Once isolated, he fatally stabbed Hanumanthu and fled the scene. The body was later discovered, and the Gachibowli police launched an investigation.

“We have taken the accused into custody and are verifying all details, including his online betting activity and possible external influences,” a police official stated. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered.

The tragic incident has left the Gopanpally neighborhood in shock. Local residents expressed concern over the rising influence of online gambling platforms on minors and the lack of parental control or digital safeguards.

Authorities have urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities and financial behavior. Investigations into how the teen accessed the funds and the knife used in the crime are ongoing.

Opinion by Naveed Uddin Khan Uzair, Crime Today News:

The shocking murder of a father by his teenage son in Hyderabad is not just a crime—it is a reflection of a larger, growing crisis in parenting and digital exposure. As technology continues to shape the lives of our youth, many parents find themselves unequipped to detect early warning signs of addiction, especially to online betting and social media-driven consumerism.

As parents, we must recognize that trust must be paired with vigilance. Handing over access to large sums of money or leaving devices unsupervised can lead to consequences that are not just financial, but tragic. The illusion of quick money, fuelled by betting apps and peer pressure, often becomes irresistible to young, impressionable minds.

It is time we treat online betting and digital addiction with the same seriousness as substance abuse. Open conversations, active monitoring of financial activity, and limiting exposure to harmful platforms are no longer optional—they are necessary.

This tragedy is a call to action for every parent: be involved, be alert, and most importantly, be aware. Your child’s digital life is not separate from their real one. Ignoring the red flags today can cost a family its peace—or worse, a life—tomorrow.