Report: Tamil Nadu software developer suffers electric shock and was ‘depressed due to work pressure’

A software developer from Tamil Nadu suffered an electric shock on Thursday after suffering “depression due to work pressure”. The development came amid furore over the death of Ernst & Young employee Anna Sebastian Perayil due to “extreme work pressure”.

According to a report in Times of India, the victim – identified as Karthikeyan – had himself wrapped in live wires and died while alone at home. He was later found by his wife when she returned from a temple. A case of unnatural death has been registered and investigations are underway to ascertain the reasons behind his death.

Karthikeyan had earlier complained of depression due to work pressure. The publication quoted police as saying that he had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Medavakkam for the past two months.

Earlier this year, a 26-year-old chartered accountant from Kerala died of “work-related stress.” The incident sparked massive backlash and a nationwide debate on work-life balance, mental health and corporate responsibility.

“She was crying on the phone because she couldn’t work with so much tension and stress. We asked her to quit and come back… She decided to continue because she said she would get more attention at EY. Unfortunately, on July 21, she collapsed in her room and died before reaching the hospital,” her father said on Saturday.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday announced that action would be taken based on the facts revealed by the investigation. EY also issued a statement expressing its deep sadness over the tragic incident.

“Whether it is a white collar job or a blue collar job, when a citizen of the country dies, it is natural to be sad. The case will be investigated and action will be taken based on the facts revealed during the investigation,” said the Minister of Labour and Employment.

(With contributions from agencies)