Indian Bank Branch Manager commits suicide in Maharashtra; FIR filed against Zonal Manager

Mr. Akshay Keshav Lade, aged 32 years, has filed an FIR in the death case of his brother, Ravikiran Keshav Lade, who was working with Indian Bank. From November 2024, he was working as a Branch Manager at Indian Bank, Jeevan Deep Building, Shaniwar Peth, Karad, Satara. Ravikiran was living in Agashivnagar, Karad, with his wife Yogita and daughter Anuja.

On 7 November 2026, Ravikiran, his wife and daughter visited their native village in Latur for Diwali. On 11 November 2026, Ravikiran returned to Karad alone, while his wife and daughter went to Latur to stay with her parents. The complainant stated that after Ravikiran joined the Karad branch, his visits to his native village had reduced. Whenever family members contacted him, he reportedly told them that:

• His senior officers were deliberately not granting him leave.
• He was being insulted during meetings.
• He was humiliated in front of other employees.
• Even after completing office targets, he was spoken to in a humiliating manner.
• He was facing mental harassment from his senior officers.

The complainant further stated that his sister-in-law, Yogita, had also told the family that Ravikiran was under considerable work pressure and was being mentally harassed by his Deputy Zonal Manager, Maithili Sharan Sawala, and Zonal Manager, Archana Sahadev, at Indian Bank Zonal Office, Pune.

On 13 November 2026, the complainant received a phone call from his sister-in-law, Yogita. She informed him that Ravikiran had sent her three PDF files through WhatsApp. According to her, Ravikiran had written in those PDFs that he was taking the extreme step because he was being harassed by Deputy Zonal Manager Maithili Sharan Sawala and Zonal Manager Archana Sahadev. The complainant tried to contact his brother, but his phone was switched off. He then asked Yogita to forward the three PDF files to him. The complainant stated that he read all three documents. Their contents are reproduced below.

Contents of PDF No. 1 – Message to his wife

“Dear Yogita,

Please forgive me. I am not suitable for you. Your life is very beautiful, and I want you to have a good future. Please take care of Anuja (Pillu). Our journey together has been very difficult. We are very different from each other, and I request you to start a new life and remain happy.

If possible, you can marry again and live with a good person. The dreams we had together remained incomplete. Please forgive me. I am guilty towards you. Anuja is a very sweet daughter. Be brave, my child. Do not trouble your mother. When you grow up, you will understand your father’s decision.

Yogita, if possible, please apply for my position and request the bank to give you a job. Take the help of the union. I want you to work and become independent. This was my wish earlier and will remain my wish.

Love you.”

Contents of PDF No. 2 – Message to bank management

“I, Ravikiran Keshav Lade, an employee of Indian Bank, am taking this decision because of the harassment by the bank’s Pune Zonal Office DCM Maithili Sharan Sawala and ZM Madam.

Maithili Sharan Sawala has continuously been torturing me and humiliating me. I have been repeatedly insulted and treated badly. Even after working in the bank, I have to face such behaviour. Due to continuous humiliation, I have lost the desire to live.

I request the bank to appoint my wife to a clerk’s post. This would be justice for the injustice done to me. I request the bank’s MD Mr Binod Kumar, FGM Mr Prsnesh, Mr Samjay Kute, Mr Rohit Jawane and Shekaran Sir to consider my wife’s appointment on compassionate grounds. My daughter and family are young and dependent on me. I request that justice be given to my family and that my wife be appointed to a clerk’s post.

Good bye……”

Contents of PDF No. 3

My name is Ravikiran, and I am an employee of Indian Bank. I committed suicide because of DCM Maithali Sir. For the last 2–3 months, he has been targeting and humiliating me during WhatsApp video calls and constantly threatening to destroy my career and my children’s academic careers. I have always been humiliated during VC meetings and insulted in front of all staff members.

So, I request you to take action against him for provoking me to commit suicide and destroying my life. If possible, punish him under Section 302 of the IPC for the murder of a bank employee.

Maithali Sir, I want to make one request to you. Please understand that every human being has different capabilities. No one is great in every aspect. Please try to understand this, Sir.

I also request the bank management and the union to provide a compassionate appointment to my wife (dependent) as per the bank’s policy, so that justice can be done to me and my family.

I hope you will understand my situation and do me this favour after my death.

Thank you, Comrade.

Goodbye.

Discovery of the incident

After reading the messages, the complainant and his sister-in-law contacted Shivraj Kalambe, who was working with Ravikiran at the bank. They informed Shivraj that Ravikiran was not answering his phone and requested him to visit his residence immediately. Shivraj Kalambe, along with another staff member, Rishikesh Gurav, went to Ravikiran’s residence. They found the door closed.

With the help of the other staff member, they pushed open the inner door. They found Ravikiran hanging from a ceiling hook in the kitchen with the help of a scarf. The incident was discovered at approximately 7:35 AM. Shivraj informed the police, and Ravikiran was taken to the hospital.

The complainant stated that after reading the suicide notes and learning about the incident, he believed that his brother had taken this step because of the alleged harassment by Maithili Sharan Sawala and Archana Sahadev.

Allegations made against the bank officials

According to the complainant, Ravikiran had been working at Indian Bank’s Karad branch since November 2024. He alleged that during this period, the two senior officials named in the FIR had subjected his brother to continuous mental harassment.

The allegations mentioned in the FIR include:

• Senior officers deliberately did not grant him leave.
• He was repeatedly insulted during official meetings.
• He was humiliated in front of other bank employees.
• He was allegedly insulted even after completing the assigned office targets.
• He was allegedly threatened that his career would be destroyed.
• He was allegedly threatened that his daughter’s academic career would also be destroyed.
• He was subjected to continuous mental pressure and harassment.

The complainant alleged that his brother was unable to tolerate this treatment and died by suicide at his rented residence.

Action taken by the police

The Police have registered an FIR in the case and more details will be provided after investigation.