The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Illinois-based company Vistex, Sanjay Shah, met a tragic end during a company event at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, India on January 18, 2024. The catastrophe unfolded at the company’s 25th-anniversary celebration when an iron cage that was lowering Shah and the company’s president, Vishwanath Raju Datla, onto the stage malfunctioned. One of the cage’s supporting wires broke, causing it to plummet roughly 15 feet onto the concrete floor below.
Shah, 56, was confirmed dead after the accident, while his colleague, Datla, was severely injured and remains in a critical state at the hospital. Shah was a native of Mumbai, India, but moved to the US in 1988 for higher education.
Shah earned an MBA degree from Lehigh University at the early age of 21 and founded Vistex in 1999. The company, known for providing revenue management solutions, boasts of high-profile clients such as GM, Yamaha, and Coca-Cola. Under Shah’s stewardship, Vistex expanded its operations worldwide and earned a name for itself in the tech industry.
The horrifying incident was captured on video, showing the yellow iron cage as it was being lowered from the ceiling of the venue. Amidst fireworks, the cage began to shake before abruptly dropping to one side, leading to Shah and Datla’s fall. The gathered crowd of employees, present to mark the company’s milestone, watched the chilling event in shock.
An investigation has been initiated to identify the reason for the wire’s failure and assess any negligence involved. Concerns have been raised about the safety protocols at the event site and the delayed emergency response. The injured were transported to the hospital 15 to 20 minutes after the accident, raising questions about the adequacy of emergency services at the venue.
The renowned movie studio and event location, Ramoji Film City, is currently under examination. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the management of Ramoji Film City and the event organizers for causing death by negligence and endangering life. The police are awaiting expert input on the substandard 6mm iron cable that failed during the event.
The tragic death of Sanjay Shah has ignited a dialogue about safety standards in India. Many people are expressing concerns about the frequent preference for cost over safety and a cultural habit of risk and improvisation. The incident has also heightened awareness of the working conditions and accident responses in the country.
Vistex, with its global operations headquartered in Illinois, USA, now faces a time of uncertainty as it navigates the repercussions of this tragic incident. The company, noted for its entrepreneurial spirit and Shah’s philanthropy, mourns the loss of its visionary leader. Shah’s contributions to the tech industry and his charitable work in health and education have left a lasting impact.
