Bank of Baroda manager’s suicide sparks renewed concerns over mental health

A recent incident has brought the issue back into focus. Shivshankar Mitra, a 52-year-old Branch Manager at the Bank of Baroda's Baramati branch in Maharashtra, died by suicide, reportedly due to immense pressure from his superiors. 

According to reports, Mitra had submitted his resignation on July 11 and was serving his notice period. Sources claim he was being repeatedly humiliated at work. Tragically, he ended his life within the bank premises. The incident came to light when Mitra failed to return home, prompting his family to investigate. Reports further allege that he had even asked a colleague to procure a rope—an ominous signal that went unnoticed. 

These tragedies serve as a grim reminder that workplace mental health support is not just an HR initiative—it’s a moral imperative. Organisations must go beyond policy statements and truly embed empathy, psychological safety, and accountability into their cultures. 

As one observer on LinkedIn put it, “We need HR norms that don’t just treat people as resources—but as humans first.”