An audio message reportedly sent by senior clerk A. Ashalatha, who died recently, has surfaced in a WhatsApp group of Collectorate employees, indicating that she had been under considerable mental and physical stress due to problems at both home and office.

Ashalatha is understood to have sent the message explaining why she had not been participating in discussions in the employees’ group. In the message, she said that she supported everyone but was unable to actively participate in discussions because she was struggling mentally and physically under the prevailing circumstances.

“I am facing some problems, and I am under a lot of stress. It is because of matters at the office and at home,” she said in the message. She added that she was not in a state of mind to participate in discussions.

She also referred to pressures after reaching home at night, including household responsibilities and helping her children with their homework.

The audio message has emerged at a time when questions regarding working conditions at the Collectorate and issues among employees have come under discussion following Ashalatha’s death.

The District Collector has already directed the Additional District Magistrate to conduct a departmental inquiry into the circumstances leading to her death.

Ashalatha’s audio message is expected to be examined as part of the investigation.

Published - August 11, 2026 08:19 pm IST