A Young CA. A Promising Future. A Deafening Corporate Silence.
Another tragedy has struck the Indian finance & consulting world.
A young Chartered Accountant, employed with B S R & Co. LLP—a KPMG network firm—has reportedly lost his life. As per some claims over social media, it is not due to an accident or a disease alone, but a system that refused to listen, empathise, or respond.
The scoial media claims that the deceased, Vikas Nizam, had already raised concerns about his heart condition. Despite that, he was expected to commute long hours using public transport, adhere to tight deliverables, & function like any other “resource” in the system.
But Vikas wasn’t just a “resource.”
He was a father of two, a husband, & a colleague.
A qualified Chartered Accountant who had cleared one of the toughest exams in India, only to be failed by the very industry that promises a "secure future."
No Statement. No Acknowledgement. No Learning?
As per certain reports circulated over social media, following his death, employees at B S R & Co. LLP (KPMG) were reportedly told not to speak up.
There was no internal communication, no public condolence, & no managerial accountability.
The silence isn’t just heartbreaking—it’s strategic.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a Big 4 has faced such scrutiny.
Earlier, EY (Ernst & Young) was under fire when a young employee reportedly collapsed due to burnout. EY’s delayed & cold response caused a public outcry. But this time, KPMG’s silence feels even more indifferent—a company-wide quiet as if nothing happened.
While some believe KPMG’s silence indicates an admission of guilt, others argue that this narrative is being amplified merely to tarnish the firm’s reputation without verified facts.
Many are drawing parallels between this incident and the Anna Sebastian case involving EY, suggesting a recurring pattern of corporate silence in the face of employee distress.
From EY to KPMG: A Pattern We Can’t Ignore
Both firms belong to the elite Big 4.
Both pride themselves on leadership, governance, & people-centric values.
And yet, both are being linked to preventable deaths of young professionals, who were simply doing their jobs."
The question is no longer “what happened?”
It’s “why does this keep happening?”
Or Is it right to blame KPMG for the death of Young CA.
Social media is echoing a harsh truth: Corporate Work Culture – When Efficiency Kills Empathy. The growing comparisons and silence from firms are deepening the perception that performance often takes precedence over people.
What failed Vikas wasn't just the workload.
It was:
- A lack of compassion when he spoke up about his health.
- A lack of action when support was most needed.
- And a lack of accountability after he was gone.
COPE—Cost Optimisation & Performance Efficiency—was the internal initiative reportedly linked to this high-pressure environment.
But when optimising cost begins costing lives, it’s no longer just a bad strategy. It’s negligence.
What Do We Need to Change—Today?
✔ Mandatory medical accommodations for employees with documented health issues
✔ Transparent internal investigations into employee deaths & burnout complaints
✔ Training managers in human-first leadership, not just target-based supervision
✔ Breaking the silence—open conversations about mental & physical fatigue"
Final Thoughts
“Who is responsible?”
The answer, tragically, remains: No one. Except the victim. Every time.
But not anymore.
Not after Vikas Nizam.
Not after so many young CAs, consultants, & analysts have been quietly suffering in silence.
Let it be a wake-up call. Because the silence of firms is now costing us more than talent. It’s costing lives.
The outrage on social media is intensifying, with posts stating 'Corporate Work Culture: When Efficiency Kills Empathy.' This sentiment also reflects a deeper concern—if individuals with health conditions are deemed 'unfit' for the demands of corporate life, then companies must reconsider their hiring practices. Otherwise, continuing to hire while ignoring medical disclosures only sets the stage for blame, public distrust, and reputational damage.
📢 If you believe workplaces should be driven by empathy—not just efficiency—share this.
Speak up. Because silence doesn’t save reputation. It buries the truth.
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