Journo Satish Nandgaonkar's Wife Anjali Ambekar Seeks Justice For His Demise

Mumbai-based senior journalist Satish Nandgaonkar died of a cardiac arrest in his office at a leading publication house on February 28. He was 52 years old and is survived by his wife Anjali Ambekar and son Ahan. The untimely demise of the established journalist led to a discussion on toxic work culture and harassment of experienced professionals in the media industry. Recounting Nandgaonkar's admissions of severe work stress, Ambekar issued a plea for an investigation into his death, demanding to hold those responsible accountable. At a recent condolence meeting in Mumbai, Ambekar, who is an officer in the Maharashtra government, sought justice for Nandgaonkar in a heartwrenching speech. 

A recent probe into Nandgaonkar's death conducted by the Mumbai Press Club revealed shocking accounts of bullying, coercion, and emotional manipulation by resident editors of the publication. Following this, the MPC and Ambekar have written open letters to seek answers and bring justice to the late journalist.

MPC Probe's Harrowing Revelations

The Mumbai Press Club probe revealed that Satish Nandgaonkar, who has worked in journalism for over two decades, was allegedly publicly humiliated and verbally abused during several editorial meetings. The probe revealed that he also faced arbitrary reassignments, undermined contributions, and sycophancy from resident editors at the publication, reportedly contributing to a deterioration in his health.

According to the probe, Nandgaonkar struggled with severe mental stress and pressure at the publication, where he was expected to juggle multiple responsibilities all while facing severe workplace harassment and little acknowledgement for his contributions. The MPC spoke to some former employees to hear their testimonies on the work culture at the publication, where harrowing details of bullying and humiliation by the superiors were uncovered.

Anjali Ambekar Seeks Justice

Following the MPC report as well as witnessing the stress that Nandgaonkar was under, his wife Anjali Ambekar spoke up against the harassment that led to her husband's demise. In an open letter, which she read at the condolence meeting in Mumbai, she drew attention to the toxic environment at the publication house, seeking accountability from those responsible.

Listen to what Anjali Ambekar has to say about the shocking circumstances leading to her journalist-husband Satish Nandgaonkar's death in the wake of harassment he suffered at the hands of his boss at Hindustan Times' Mumbai office. JOIN HER IN HER FIGHT FOR 'JUSTICE TO SATISH' pic.twitter.com/AmS9dXiP8i

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"Based on my recollection of Satish's utterances at home during the recent weeks, my interactions with his colleagues and friends and the text messages that I have gone through in his mobile post his death, I have strong reasons to believe and I have evidence to back my contention-- that he would have been alive now, but for the extraordinary stress brought to bear on him by his superior at his workplace," Ambekar said.

"They forced him to break down," she expressed. "Since he would not share too much about the office, I did not realise the extent of the harassment that he was subjected to. Now I feel helpless that I could not help him in dealing with this toxic office situation. I cannot forgive myself for the failure to stand by him in his hour of need. My fight for justice for Satish will continue."