An HDFC employee in Lucknow died under mysterious circumstances while working,
police said. The 45-year-old fell off her chair and died instantly, according to reports.
“Additional Deputy VP of HDFC Bank in Vibhutikhand, Sadaf Fatima (45), dies under suspicious circumstances while working. The panchnama (record of observation) of her body has been filled, and it has been sent for postmortem. The cause of death will be clear after the postmortem,” Vibhutikhand Assistant Commissioner of Police Radharaman Singh told news agency ANI.
According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, her colleagues claimed that Sadaf was under work pressure. The incident comes amid a nationwide debate over workplace pressure after an Ernst and Young worker allegedly died of “overwork”.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav termed the incident “extremely worrying” and a reflection of the country’s current economic stress. He emphasized that this tragedy highlights the need for companies and government departments to reassess their priorities and working conditions.
“All companies and government departments will have to think seriously in this regard. This is an irreparable loss of the country’s human resources. Such sudden deaths bring the working conditions under question.” he said in the post on X (formerly Twitter).
“The real measure of the progress of any country is not the increase in the figures of services or products but how mentally free, healthy and happy a person is,” he added.
Anna Sebastian, who worked at EY’s Pune office for around four months, died in July. Earlier this month, her mother Anita Augustine wrote to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani and flagged the “glorification” of overwork at the consulting firm.
Her father claimed that the 26-year-old raised concerns over work pressure with her seniors.
A senior employee at HDFC Bank, one of India’s largest financial institutions, was found dead under “suspicious circumstances” at the bank’s corporate office in Mumbai. The deceased, identified as 45-year-old Rajesh Verma, a mid-level executive, was discovered by colleagues slumped over his desk late on Monday evening.
Preliminary reports suggest that Verma may have succumbed to a sudden medical emergency. However, police officials involved in the case have not ruled out foul play, citing several aspects of the incident that warrant further investigation.
Discovery of the Incident
According to sources within the company, Verma was last seen attending a routine meeting around 6 PM on Monday. After that, he reportedly returned to his desk to finish some pending work. When Verma failed to respond to calls from family members later in the evening, concern grew, and his colleagues were informed. Upon reaching his desk, they found him unresponsive and immediately notified the office’s medical team, who declared him dead.
An ambulance was summoned, and Verma’s body was transported to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed that he had been deceased for several hours. The post-mortem report is expected to shed light on the cause of death, but until that is available, investigators remain cautious in their conclusions.
Suspicious Circumstances
Though sudden deaths at the workplace can sometimes result from natural causes, police officers have labeled the circumstances around Verma’s demise “suspicious.” Speaking to the media, a senior officer from the Mumbai Police said, “There are certain inconsistencies in the initial reports that have led us to investigate this matter further. We are not ruling out any possibilities, including foul play. We will wait for the autopsy and toxicology reports before drawing any conclusions.”
According to sources close to the investigation, police found some unusual evidence at the scene. This includes scattered paperwork that didn’t seem related to Verma’s current projects and certain markings on his desk that raised questions. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from the office, which may help reconstruct the events leading up to his death. The possibility of workplace stress or internal conflicts is also being considered as part of the probe.
Family’s Reaction
Verma’s family, devastated by the news, has called for a thorough investigation. His wife, Meera Verma, told reporters, “He had no known health issues. He was a healthy man and always took good care of himself. There is no way this was a natural death. We need answers.”
Colleagues of Verma described him as a dedicated professional, well-liked among his peers. “Rajesh was a committed employee, always the first one to arrive at the office and often the last to leave,” said one of his co-workers. “He had been with the bank for over 15 years and was known for his professionalism and hard work.”
However, some colleagues hinted at the immense pressure Verma had been under recently. “The workload has been overwhelming, especially over the last few months. It wouldn’t be surprising if the stress got to him,” another employee noted.
Workplace Stress Concerns
The incident has brought to light the often-overlooked issue of workplace stress, particularly in high-pressure environments such as banking and finance. HDFC, like many major corporations, is known for its fast-paced, results-driven culture. Long working hours and tight deadlines are part of daily life for employees in this sector.
Mental health advocates have raised concerns about how companies manage employee well-being, with the focus now shifting to whether excessive stress may have played a role in Verma’s death. There have been increasing reports in recent years about employees in high-stress industries succumbing to burnout and other stress-related ailments.
If workplace stress is determined to be a contributing factor, it could force the banking sector to take a closer look at employee welfare and possibly revise policies regarding work-life balance.
HDFC’s Statement
In response to the tragedy, HDFC Bank released an official statement expressing condolences to the family and promising full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. “We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our valued colleague Rajesh Verma. He was a dedicated and integral part of our organization, and his loss is felt across the company. We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they investigate this unfortunate incident,” the statement read.
The bank has also announced plans to provide support and counseling to Verma’s family and colleagues, many of whom are understandably shaken by the event.
Investigation Ongoing
As of now, the police are continuing their investigation and have stated that they will leave no stone unturned in determining the cause of Verma’s death. Officers have begun interviewing colleagues and reviewing his recent work assignments to ascertain whether any workplace conflicts or other external factors could have contributed to the incident.
While Mumbai police await the autopsy report, speculation remains rife. Was it a medical emergency exacerbated by workplace stress, or something more sinister? The answer to that question will determine the next steps in this high-profile investigation.
