A 23-year-old engineer, Piyush Ashok Kawade, employed at Atlas Copco (India) Pvt Ltd in Pune's Hinjewadi IT Park, died by suicide on Monday morning. According to police reports, Kawade left an office meeting around 9:30 am and jumped from the terrace of the office building. He had been working at the company since July of the previous year.
Police have confirmed that Kawade left a suicide note addressed to his family, the contents of which are currently under investigation. Senior Police Inspector Balaji Pandhare reported that the note indicated Kawade felt he had "failed in his life". Authorities have registered a case of accidental death and are conducting further inquiries to understand the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sunil Kurade stated that there is no immediate indication of work-related stress. "At first glance, I haven't seen anything like that yet," Kurade told NDTV. "The investigation is ongoing, but still what he has written in the suicide note will be thoroughly investigated. Relatives, etc. are coming".
The incident has prompted a response from Atlas Copco. Christina Hagerstrand, media relations manager for the Atlas Copco Group, expressed the company's sadness in a written statement to The Indian Express. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones at this time," Hagerstrand stated. "As a Group, we are offering our support to the family as well as to co-workers of the deceased. The well-being and safety of our employees remains our highest priority, and we are working with the authorities as they investigate the circumstances of this incident".
This is reportedly the third suicide of a professional in Pune in recent months. In June, a 28-year-old junior doctor at Ruby Hall Clinic allegedly committed suicide at his residence. Prior to that, a 25-year-old IT professional died by suicide by jumping from a residential building in Hinjawadi.
The investigation into Kawade's death is ongoing, with police examining the suicide note and questioning family and colleagues to determine the factors that led to his death.
