Chennai techie electrocutes self to death after being depressed due to work pressure

Work stress related death: A 38-year-old software engineer, Karthikeyan, electrocuted himself to death at Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in Chennai due to alleged work pressure.

The incident took place on Thursday night when the deceased was alone at his residence off OMR Road.

As per media reports, Karthikeyan belonged to Tamil Nadu’s Theni and had been working at a software firm in Chennai’s Pallavaram for the last 15 years. The wife of the deceased left for Thirunallaru temple with her friends on Monday leaving Karthikeyan alone at home.

Police reports suggest that he had been suffering from depression due to work pressure and was receiving treatment at a hospital in Medavakkam for the past two months.

The police have since secured Karthikeyan's body and sent it for post-mortem to Chromepet government hospital.

The technician's suicide comes amid nationwide uproar over toxic work conditions, following the death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant with Ernst & Young. Upon her return on Thursday night, she found the door locked from inside and received no response to her knocks.

The police have registered a case of unnatural death and are currently investigating the matter further.

Notably, Ministry of Labour & Employment is investigating alleged "unsafe and exploitative work environment" days after the tragic demise of Anna Sebastian Perayil who worked with S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global.

Perayil was a 26-year-old chartered accountant (CA) who died allegedly due to extreme work pressure at the firm.
"Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice & LabourMinistry has officially taken up the complaint," Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje Thursday said on X.

EY on Wednesday issued a statement stating, "We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian's tragic and untimely passing in July 2024."