KOCHI: Ann Mary, friend of Anna Sebastian, a chartered accountant of Ernst & Young (EY), who collapsed and died due to work stress, said that she had told her about her difficulties in her job many times. Ann Mary told a media that Anna had called her two hours before her death and talked about her job stress.

‘She was under a lot of pressure. She had to work even on Saturdays and Sundays. She has to reach office at 6 am. She goes back at 12 and sometimes at 1 am. She had no break during her work. She died when she was about to go home.

She told me that after reaching home, she would ask for work from home. She also wanted a transfer to Kochi. She also thought of quitting her job. She suffered a chest pain two weeks before her death. She had messaged me that day. She told me that she suffered the chest pain for working so hardly. The doctor also told her that the chest pain is due to stress. The doctor told her that she developed the chest pain for not eating properly and for not sleeping well,’ said her friend.

A letter written by Anna’s mother Anitha Augustine to the company chairman was widely discussed in the national media. Many including political leaders came forward responding to it. The Centre shortly ordered a probe on her death.