September 27, 2026, will be remembered with sadness by the banking community after two Union Bank of India employees reportedly lost their lives in separate road accidents while dealing with Sunday duty.
Shri Venkata Prasad, Branch Manager of Union Bank’s Ranipet EAB Branch in the Kancheepuram Region, Chennai Zone, reportedly died in a road accident while travelling to his branch on Sunday morning.
In another tragic incident, Neha Gupta, a Scale-II officer posted at Union Bank’s Regional Office in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, also died following a road accident while returning from work. Reports state that she had earlier informed officials about difficulties in attending Sunday duty because of childcare responsibilities.
The incidents occurred on a Sunday when public-sector bank branches were kept open ahead of the proposed 28–30 September nationwide bank strike. The government had directed banks to operate on September 27 to reduce the impact of the extended disruption.
These two deaths have brought a deeply painful human dimension to the debate over Sunday banking and the long-standing demand for a five-day banking week.
No banking target or operational requirement can bring back a life lost while travelling for duty. The circumstances surrounding both incidents also warrant careful examination, particularly regarding the arrangements and responsibilities connected with Sunday deployment.
The banking fraternity mourns the loss of Venkata Prasad and Neha Gupta and extends condolences to their families, colleagues and friends.
Two employees went to work on a Sunday. Two families are now facing an unimaginable loss.
