AI layoffs hit Hyderabad techie, couple found dead
HYDERABAD: A software engineer from Telangana, who reportedly lost his job amid artificial intelligence-driven layoffs, died by suicide along with his partner in Bengaluru, exposing multiple personal and social pressures.
Bhanuchandar Reddy, who earlier worked in the United States with an annual salary of ₹80 lakh, returned to India after losing his job following layoffs attributed to the impact of artificial intelligence. Despite efforts to secure another role in the US and Canada, he did not succeed.
Job loss linked to AI leaves engineer in distress
Police said Reddy fell into severe mental distress after returning to India. He was also upset that his mother had stopped speaking to him. He died by hanging at his residence in Bengaluru.
Shazia Siraj, also a software professional working with a leading IT company, had moved to Bengaluru to stay with him. Shocked by his death, she allegedly jumped from the 17th floor of the building and died.
Secret interfaith marriage kept hidden from families
The two were childhood friends who later married despite belonging to different religions. However, they had kept their marriage a secret from their families for several years.
Relatives object as bodies sent in single ambulance
In a further development, relatives objected when both bodies were being transported in the same ambulance after postmortem. Those present reportedly intervened, saying, “They could not live together freely when alive. Let them at least go together in death,” following which the bodies were allowed to be taken together.
The incident highlights concerns around job losses linked to AI in the IT sector, mental health stress, and social barriers such as religion and family acceptance.
