DRDO scientist ends life; family alleges work-related pressure

A 47-year-old senior scientist with the Aeronautical Development Agency, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), reportedly ended his life, allegedly by jumping from his residential building in Seegehalli on October 21. His family has alleged that sustained work-related pressure contributed to his death.

The deceased, Sharad Katiyar, was working in the programming department. He lived with his family on the fourth floor.

According to his family’s statement to the police, Katiyar had been experiencing severe work-related stress for over a month. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital, where he was diagnosed with a depressive episode.

On October 21, he visited the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) for a psychiatric consultation and was prescribed medication. Between 7.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. that day, he allegedly jumped from a window on the landing between the fourth and fifth floors of the building. He was rushed to a private hospital in K.S. Halli, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The K.R. Puram police have registered an unnatural death report under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and have recorded the statements of his family for further investigation.

(If you are in distress or having suicidal tendencies, please reach out to these helplines: TeleMANAS at 1-8008914416/ 14416, NIMHANS at 08026685948, 9480829670 or SAHAI at 080 25497777, +91-9886444075)