Bajaj Finance employee kills self, blames work pressure in letter: 'Haven't slept for 45 days'

'I am under a lot of stress,' the Bajaj Finance area manager wrote in his suicide note. 'Senior managers are pressuring me to meet targets at any cost or quit.' (Representational image: Unsplash)

A 42-year-old employee of Bajaj Finance in Uttar Pradesh has died by suicide. In his last letter, he wrote that he was under immense work pressure and asked his family to register a police complaint against his seniors.

Jhansi resident Tarun Saxena was found dead on Tuesday morning by his househelp after he had locked himself in a separate room. He is survived by his parents, wife, and two children, NDTV reported.

In his five-page suicide note addressed to his wife, the Bajaj Finance area manager -- who had to collect EMIs of Bajaj Finance loans from his area -- said that he was under immense stress because he could not meet targets despite trying his best. Saxena said that for two months the work pressure had been unbearable and that he had been unable to sleep for 45 days. He was worried he might lose his job. In the letter, he also revealed that he faced constant humiliation from his seniors.

"I have not slept for 45 days. I have hardly eaten. I am under a lot of stress. Senior managers are pressuring me to meet targets at any cost or quit," Saxena wrote, according to an NDTV report. "I am very tense about the future. I have lost my ability to think. I am going."

He also alleged that he and his colleagues were made to pay the EMIs they could not recover and although he had repeatedly tried to highlight the problems faced in recovery to his seniors, but they were not open to feedback.

Saxena named the seniors in his letter and asked his family to register a police complaint against them. "They are responsible for my decision."

Senior police officer Vinod Kumar Gautam told the publication that they are awaiting the post-mortem examination report. "The suicide note says his seniors were pressuring him over the targets. If we get a complaint from the family, we will take action."

Bajaj Finance's statement on this incident

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Tarun Saxena and express our heartfelt condolences and full support to his family in this difficult time. Tarun was a loving father, son and a great friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was with our company for over 7 years and his loss is felt immensely by both us and his family.

The company has well established policies of code of conduct that govern behaviour and conduct at the workplace; any deviation calls for strict disciplinary action. Our people practices are designed to create a culture of fairness, dignity, and respect. We're committed to fostering a workplace environment that values and supports the well-being of our employees.

Based on allegations, we have relieved the concerned employees of their current responsibilities and placed them on administrative leave, allowing for an unbiased and thorough investigation of the matter. We are also extending our full support to the authorities investigating the matter.

We stand in support of Tarun’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Suicide prevention Helpline numbers.