In a shocking incident that has once again shaken the finance community, 28-year-old Chartered Accountant Suresh Reddy Nirmal was found dead in a service apartment in Hyderabad. Police suspect suicide due to overwhelming work-related stress. His story is tragically not the first of its kind — and may not be the last unless urgent reforms address the brutal reality of toxic work environments in India’s finance sector.
- The Hyderabad Tragedy: CA Suresh Reddy Nirmal
- Not an Isolated Case: A Pattern Across the Profession
- 1. Anna Perayil (2024) – EY Pune
- 2. Panchila Lunagariya (2020) – Surat
- 3. Koti Satyalavanya – Hyderabad
- The Bigger Picture: A Profession on the Brink?
- ICAI’s Response: Too Little, Too Late?
- Time to Act: What Needs to Change?
- If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling
- Final Word
The Hyderabad Tragedy: CA Suresh Reddy Nirmal
Suresh Reddy, a native of Kamareddy district, was employed at a private firm in Manikonda, Hyderabad. On June 16, 2025, he left his brother’s home, telling family he was going to visit his sister. Instead, he checked into a service apartment in Kondapur.
Two days later, his body was found. He had reportedly used helium gas for a controlled asphyxiation—a method that points to premeditation. Police recovered a diary where Suresh allegedly expressed his frustration with his job, emotional exhaustion, and a desire to leave the CA profession altogether. His death is being treated as a suicide rooted in job-related mental pressure.
“I no longer find meaning in this profession. I am done pretending,” – excerpts from the diary found near Suresh’s body.
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Not an Isolated Case: A Pattern Across the Profession
Suresh’s story is heartbreaking, but unfortunately, not rare. Over the past few years, multiple Chartered Accountants and finance professionals have lost their lives due to extreme work stress, harsh deadlines, and exploitative workplace culture.
1. Anna Perayil (2024) – EY Pune
A 26-year-old CA working at S.R. Batliboi (EY affiliate) died of a suspected cardiac arrest just months into the job.
Her mother claimed she was sleeping barely 3 hours a night and working relentlessly, even on weekends.
The incident triggered a massive debate online, with peers describing the Big 4 work environment as “modern-day slavery”.
2. Panchila Lunagariya (2020) – Surat
This 26-year-old Chartered Accountant took her own life, allegedly due to threats from her ex-employer over a bond dispute.
Her family accused firm partners of harassment, leading to their arrest on charges of abetment of suicide.
3. Koti Satyalavanya – Hyderabad
An assistant bank manager was found dead in Bachupally. Reports suggest she had been vocal about workplace stress in the weeks before her death.
The Bigger Picture: A Profession on the Brink?
Chartered Accountancy, considered one of the most respected and lucrative professions in India, hides a disturbing reality. Many CAs, especially those in audit and Big 4 roles, face:
- Unrealistic client deadlines
- Lack of work-life balance
- Poor mental health support
- Toxic senior-junior hierarchies
- Normalization of 16+ hour workdays
A recent ICAI-initiated study acknowledged rising stress levels in the profession, particularly among young CAs and students. Reddit threads, LinkedIn testimonials, and anonymous surveys all echo a common sentiment: “We’re burning out faster than we’re earning.”
ICAI’s Response: Too Little, Too Late?
In response to public outcry, ICAI has:
- Set up a dedicated stress-management committee
- Launched a helpline for CAs in distress
- Organized wellness webinars and mentorship programs
While these initiatives are welcome, critics argue they are surface-level efforts that fail to address systemic exploitation, especially in high-end firms and article-ship structures.
Time to Act: What Needs to Change?
If India wants to protect its next generation of finance professionals, urgent systemic reforms are needed:
1. Audit Firm Regulation: Enforce humane working hours and project cycles.
2. Stronger Whistleblower Protection: So young CAs can report exploitation.
3. Mental Health Integration: Make therapy & stress counseling routine and confidential.
4. ICAI Action Audits: Mandate and publicize firm-wise audits on employee well-being.
If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling
There is help available.
ICAI Helpline: 99975‑99975
Hyderabad Crisis Helplines: 81420 20033 / 040-66202000
iCall (National): +91 9152987821
You are not alone. Speak up. Reach out.
Final Word
The death of Suresh Reddy Nirmal is more than a news story — it’s a reflection of how India’s most trusted professionals are silently suffering. As we mourn his loss, let us not forget the many others walking the same dangerous tightrope. We owe it to them to question the system, challenge outdated norms, and demand accountability.
