‘Sibal was depressed since his services were terminated in April’

A former senior official with Tata Motors committed suicide by jumping off the 15th floor of the building where he was staying in Parel on Friday morning.

A suicide note found in his room says that he took the step out of extreme depression. Kalachowkie police are conducting further inquiries into the case. The deceased has been identified as Prashant Sibal (43). He was employed in a senior managerial position in Tata Motors, but was terminated earlier this year.

The police said Sibal stayed with his wife and two sons on the sixth floor of Kalpataru Habitat Society in Parel and jumped over the wall of an open recreational area on the 15th floor of the building. Watchmen who saw Sibal fall alerted his family and called the police. Sibal was rushed to KEM Hospital in Parel, where he was declared dead before admission.

The police found the suicide note in his bedroom while making inquiries with his family and conducting a search at his house.

Senior Police Inspector Dilip Ugale said, “Sibal’s services had been terminated in April and he was depressed since then. He was undergoing treatment at Hinduja Hospital in Mahim. His family members said he had become aloof and reclusive over the last few months. He would sit alone in his room for long periods of time and had trouble sleeping.”

The suicide note begins with the words ‘Please forgive me’ and talks about his frustration at not being able to provide for his family and his worry about their future. The note ends by saying that he was taking the extreme step out of depression, the police said.

Mr. Ugale said, “Investigations so far do not indicate foul play or prove grounds for abetment to suicide. We have registered an accidental death report in the matter. We are conducting further inquiries.” Next week, the police are likely to question Sibal’s former employers about the circumstances surrounding his termination, sources said.

Meanwhile, Tata Motors officials said Sibal had taken voluntary retirement. A Tata Motors spokesperson said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing away of Mr. Prashant Sibal, a former employee of Tata Motors. He had opted for VRS in April 2017. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and we will provide all the necessary support. We are fully cooperating with the concerned authorities investigating this matter.”

Earlier this year, Tata Motors downsized 1,000 employees. While some were offered voluntary retirement, others were transferred to firms providing shared services to companies of the group.