‘Called Bandariya’: Woman Executive of Axis Bank in Noida Dies by Suicide, Leaves Note Blaming Colleagues for Workplace Harassment

Noida, July 17: An Axis Bank executive in Noida allegedly died by suicide on July 12 after receiving a termination letter. In a purported suicide note written before her death, she alleged regular harassment and said her colleagues called her a "divorcee" and "bandariya". She specifically named six colleagues, including two sales managers. Police officials are currently investigating the matter.

According to a report by the Times of India, 27-year-old Shivani Gupta recently joined Axis Bank as a relationship officer in Noida's Sector 128. On July 12 at 4:00 pm, just two hours after receiving a termination letter from her office, Shivani locked herself in her room and allegedly consumed poison. Before taking the extreme step, she wrote a five-page suicide note. Noida: Woman Dies by Suicide by Hanging Herself After Fight With Husband Over Instagram.

What Did the Suicide Note Say?

The suicide note mentions six of her office colleagues, which also included a sales manager and an area sales manager. Shivani's suicide note reveals that she endured six months of offensive language at the bank, which deeply affected her mental health and forced her to consult a psychiatrist at Vimhans. She identified a female colleague as her main tormentor, who often argued with her over trivial matters and called her names like "bandariya" (monkey) and "dimag se pagal" (mad). The note also mentions that colleagues made fun of her when her hands trembled, likely due to her mental stress. Noida Suicide: Six Suicides in 24 Hours Jolt Uttar Pradesh’s Hi-Tech Hub City; Cops Blame Mental Stress.

Shivani reported this behaviour several times to her sales manager and area sales manager, but instead of helping her, they blamed her. On one occasion, when she insisted that her managers take action against her colleagues, she was told to resign and go home.

Shivani's note mentions two specific incidents. On June 29, her colleague and four others had lunch near her workstation and became abusive when she asked them to clean up. On July 9, a confrontation with the same colleague escalated to physical violence. Shivani reported the incident, but her seniors sided with the colleague and took action against Shivani. She did not inform her family, as she didn't want to worry them.

On the last page, she asked her brother to take care of her family and urged her brother to act against her colleagues. She also mentioned her bank details, including her PINs. Shivani’s brother Gaurav has registered a complaint against her colleagues. “My sister had told us that some of her colleagues had been harassing her mentally and physically for the past six months," her brother said.

Axis Bank Expresses Condolences

A spokesperson of the Axis Bank expressed condolences. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. We hired a private agency, and their employees are working from our office in Sector 128. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family. Axis Bank has zero tolerance for any workplace-related violence. The matter is under investigation, and full cooperation is being provided to authorities in every way possible," the spokesperson said.

"We have sent the note to handwriting experts to ascertain if it was written by her. We will record the statements of her colleagues as well," Ravi Kumar Singh, Nandgram ACP, was quoted as saying.

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Helpline Numbers:

Tele Manas (Ministry of Health) – 14416 or 1800 891 4416; NIMHANS – 080-46110007; Peak Mind – 080-456 87786; Vandrevala Foundation – 9999 666 555; Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline – 080-23655557; iCALL – 022-25521111 and 9152987821; COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ) – 8322252525.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2024 11:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).