Unable to endure work pressure; software engineer at Kochi-Based IT firm commits suicide

KOCHI: In a tragic incident, a 23-year-old youth committed suicide, reportedly due to overwhelming work pressure. Jacob Thomas (23), a native of Ranni in Pathanamthitta district, ended his life at his residence in Kanjikuzhy in Kottayam. He committed suicide on Sunday morning by jumping from the flat where he was staying.

Employed at an IT firm in Kakkanad, Kochi, Jacob had reportedly confided in his parents multiple times about the mental distress and harassment he was experiencing at work. Prior to the tragic incident, he sent a video message to his mother detailing the immense stress he was under and expressing his inability to cope any longer. He jumped off the flat soon after sending the video. Jacob was employed at Linways Technologies, a company based in Kakkanad.

After completing his degree, Jacob joined the Kochi-based company as a software engineer in December of last year. His suicide happened just four months into the job. According to his family, Jacob was subjected to unbearable levels of work pressure, to the extent that he couldn't even get proper sleep. The family has lodged a complaint with the police.