Tata group officer Karl Slym death shrouded in mystery

Two top officers from Tata group die under mysterious circumstances within 7 months: How did Karl Slym die?

With the mysterious death of Tata Motors MD Karl Slym reported on Sunday in Bangkok, various speculations are rife in the media circles, about what lead to death of the top officer from the group.

Nevertheless, it’s not the only incident which has raised eyebrows, as on 28 June, 2013 dead body of former Corporate Communication head of Tata Steel Charu Deshpande was also recovered under baffling circumstances from his Mumbai home. The police had then arrested Prabhat Sharma, head of Corporate Affairs at Tata Steel in the matter.

Consequently, it’s the second death of a top officer from the group within a short span of 7 months.

He was in the country to attend board of directors meeting of Tata Motors Thailand Limited.

The local police have recovered a three page suicide note written in English by the side of 51 year old Karl Slym from the room of Slym. However, it’s still to be found out what the note says.

What do the police say?

· Prima Facie, the window, from where Slym jumped, is not wide enough for anyone of the size of the deceased to pass through. Then why did he take to such a suicide route which is more cumbersome than others.

· It’s speculated that Slym had a row with his wife a night before the incident.

Lately, Tata Motors had not been keeping up with expectations in the automobile market. Even the much famed Nano car didn’t turn up to success. A huge slide in share values has been registered of late.

In the quarter end December, the group had posted a loss of Rs 804 crore and considering the uncertain global economic climate and further stress is expected on the automobile sales.

Slym was hired to revive the falling profits of the group and since the growth was not anywhere in the sight in future, the stress may have taken the better of the British national.

Considering the investigations coming up in Bangkok, a fair inquiry is to be expected. However, Tata plays a lot of clout in Thailand, which is basically a export based economy dealing in automobiles and electronic gadgets - will a fair investigation find its way, in case, a mysterious angle is involved in death? It’s an aspersion that can be casted right now. Hope truth arrives in the public domain soon – as ‘delay’ only delays justice.

( The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organisation)