Blue Whale challenge: Madras HC says it will act against 'deadly' online games

The Madras High Court on Friday expressed concern over children allegedly committing suicide while playing the 'Blue Whale' Challenge and said it will take against "deadly" online games.

Justices K K Sasidharan and G R Swaminathan of the Madurai bench stated this when Krishnamurthy, an advocate, made an appeal to the court to direct the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry to ban such games and also sought permission to file a petition.

The judges said, "We will take up the case suo motu" and added that hearing would be on September 4.

It may be recalled that Vignesh, a private college student, allegedly committed suicide on August 30 after playing the online game.

Vignesh had reportedly told his friends that he was "crazy" about the game and also told his parents that he was getting isolated due to his addiction for it.

The game appears to goad vulnerable teens into killing themselves. It forces them to perform several dangerous activities, finally leading them to commit suicide. The game has claimed many lives worldwide.

More than six children across India have taken their lives playing this game within a span of two weeks.

PTI