New Delhi: The Union Labour Ministry has announced a thorough investigation into the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant with Ernst & Young (EY) India, allegedly due to work stress. Anna’s passing has sparked widespread outrage, leading to demands for a probe into the circumstances that may have contributed to her untimely death.
Minister of State for Labour, Shobha Karandlaje, expressed her condolences and emphasized that the ministry had taken up the complaint. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice,” Karandlaje posted on social media platform X.
The investigation follows a call for action by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who described Anna’s death as “very sad but also disturbing at many levels,” highlighting the need to examine the work culture at EY India.
In a heartfelt letter to EY India’s chairman, Rajiv Memani, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, recounted the events leading up to her daughter’s death. She criticized the company’s work culture, stating that her daughter, who joined EY only four months prior, had been under immense pressure to meet deadlines, often working late into the night and on weekends.
“I am writing as a grieving mother who has lost her precious child,” Anita Augustine wrote. “My heart is heavy, and my soul is shattered, but I believe it is necessary to share our story in the hope that no other family will have to endure this pain.”
Anna, an exceptional student who excelled academically, had recently passed the challenging chartered accountancy exams with distinction. However, her mother explained that despite being thrilled to join EY, Anna’s health had deteriorated due to the high workload. In July 2024, just days after attending her CA convocation, Anna tragically passed away.
Augustine detailed how her daughter frequently complained of chest pain and exhaustion, which led to a hospital visit where doctors attributed her symptoms to stress and lack of sleep. Despite these concerns, Anna continued working tirelessly, driven by a strong work ethic and a desire to learn.
“Anna would return to her room utterly exhausted, sometimes collapsing on the bed without even changing her clothes, only to be bombarded with more work requests,” her mother wrote. She added that her daughter had been repeatedly urged to work late hours, a situation exacerbated by unsympathetic supervisors.
Adding to the family’s grief was the absence of any EY representatives at Anna’s funeral. “No one from EY attended Anna’s funeral. This absence at such a critical moment is deeply hurtful,” Anita Augustine wrote, urging the company to reassess its work culture and protect its employees from similar fates.
In response, Ernst & Young India expressed its deep sorrow over Anna’s death and assured that the family’s concerns were being taken seriously. “We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing… Her promising career was cut short in this tragic manner, which is an irreparable loss for all of us,” the company said in a statement. EY India also reiterated its commitment to improving the workplace environment and ensuring the well-being of its employees.