Death by cyberchondria Premium

Exploring the tragic consequences of health misinformation and cyberchondria in India, highlighting the dangers of social media algorithms.

Trigger warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse and suicide. Please use your discretion in deciding if, when, and where to read.

On the day Sanju Devi, 30, allegedly murdered her two children – a girl and a boy aged 10 and 7 – in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district, she called her father-in-law, Prabhu Lal. “She told my father that she had cancer, for which there was no cure. She said she had killed our children because no one would be able to take care of them after her death,” says Rajkumar Teli, 32, Sanju’s husband.

Sanju then allegedly attempted to kill herself. Teli’s father phoned him, but because he was out, he called the neighbours who managed to get into the house, which was locked from within. They rushed Sanju to the Community Health Centre in Mandalgarh, 16 km away. She was later referred to Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital in Bhilwara, where she remained under medical supervision until January 16. She was arrested on being discharged and booked for murder under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint lodged by Lal, in his 50s.

Teli, a tent-house owner in Manpura village, says his wife was deeply attached to the children. “I still cannot believe she could do this,” he says.

In the weeks leading up to January 11, Sanju was worried. She had mouth ulcers and abdominal pain. Teli says they were preparing to visit a specialist in Ahmedabad for consultation after treatment in Bhilwara failed.

He recalls that Sanju would be on her phone when she had a minute to herself and would go to sleep watching content on the device.