Chennai Techie Dies By Suicide, Was In Depression Over Work Pressure: Cops

The techie's death by suicide, allegedly due to depression over work pressure, has taken place amid outrage over toxic work conditions in the aftermath of the death of a CA with Ernst & Young.

A 38-year-old software engineer suffering from depression died by suicide at his home in Chennai. Police said Karthikeyan electrocuted himself and his wife found him tangled in a live wire Thursday.

Originally from Theni district in Tamil Nadu, Karthikeyan lived in Chennai with his wife and two children, aged 10 and eight years. He had been working as a techie at a software firm for the past 15 years. Police have said Karthikeyan had earlier complained of being upset due to work pressure and was under treatment for depression for two months, according to a report in The Times of India.

Karthikeyan was alone at home at the time of the incident. His wife K Jayarani left for Thirunallur temple, about 300 km from Chennai, on Monday. She dropped off the children at her mother's place. She returned on Thursday night and knocked, but there was no response. She used a spare key to enter the house and found Karthikeyan lying with a live wire wrapped around his body.