A senior ICICI Bank employee, Vivek Samdarshi, allegedly died by suicide in Bengaluru, with his family accusing top bank officials of workplace harassment and excessive work pressure. The incident has sparked concerns over toxic work environments in corporate settings.
Victim’s Background and Complaint Filed
Vivek Samdarshi, the deceased, was the Regional Head of Sales at ICICI Bank and had been working with the bank for over five years. His family claims that he was under immense stress due to alleged workplace harassment and unrealistic performance expectations set by his seniors.
His elder brother, Vikash Samdarshi, has formally lodged a police complaint at Thalaghattapura Police Station, naming Raghu Kumar (Regional Head, ICICI Home Loan Department) and John Joseph (Zonal Head, ICICI Bank Home Loan Department) as the individuals allegedly responsible for abetting his suicide.
Allegations of Workplace Harassment
According to the complaint, Vivek had repeatedly confided in his family about the extreme pressure and continuous humiliation he was facing at work. His brother alleges that Raghu Kumar made demeaning remarks, including telling Vivek, “If you can’t perform, you should die.” Instead of addressing these concerns, John Joseph allegedly supported such toxic behavior, further worsening Vivek’s situation.
Events Leading Up to the Tragedy
The incident unfolded in the early hours of March 7, 2025. Around 3 am, Vikash Samdarshi received a distressing phone call, informing him that his brother was in critical condition. Despite immediate medical intervention, Vivek succumbed to his injuries later that day. He was declared dead at 11:30 pm at DHEE Hospital.
Ongoing Investigation and ICICI Bank’s Response
The police have registered a case and are currently investigating the allegations against the bank officials. However, as of now, ICICI Bank has not issued any official statement regarding the incident or the accusations made by the family.
Corporate Work Pressure Under Scrutiny
This tragic event comes just months after the suicide of 26-year-old Ernst & Young employee Anna Sebastian Perayil in Pune. Anna’s mother had publicly stated that her daughter’s death was due to “excessive workload.” Following the incident, Ernst & Young expressed their deep condolences and reassured that they were working towards better workplace conditions in their offices across India.
Concerns Over Mental Health in Workplaces
Vivek Samdarshi’s case has once again raised serious questions about workplace stress, harassment, and mental health issues in corporate environments. Experts suggest that companies should take proactive measures to prevent toxic work cultures and provide mental health support to employees under high pressure.
The investigation into Vivek’s death is ongoing, and his family continues to demand strict action against those responsible.
