Sanjay Shah, the CEO of the US-based company Vistex, died following an accident at a company event at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, India on January 18, 2024. The incident occurred during the firm’s 25th-anniversary celebration when Shah, along with the company’s president, Vishwanath Raju Datla, were being lowered onto the stage in an iron cage. A malfunction, involving the snapping of one of the supporting wires, led to the cage falling approximately 15 feet onto the concrete floor below.
Sanjay Shah, aged 56, was pronounced dead following the accident, while Vishwanath Raju Datla sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition.
Shah, born in Mumbai, India, moved to the United States for his education, earning an MBA from Lehigh University at the age of 21. He founded Vistex in 1999, a company specializing in revenue management solutions with clients such as GM, Yamaha, and Coca-Cola. Under his leadership, Vistex expanded globally and gained recognition in the tech industry.
The accident, which was captured on video, showed the yellow iron cage being lowered from near the rafters of the venue. The video depicts the cage shaking amidst fireworks before one side of the cage suddenly drops, causing Shah and Datla to fall. The crowd of employees gathered to celebrate the company’s milestone witnessed the harrowing incident.
Investigations into the accident have been launched, focusing on the cause of the wire snap and possible negligence. Questions have been raised about the safety standards at the event venue and the delay in emergency response. It took approximately 15-20 minutes for the injured to be transported to the hospital, highlighting concerns about the adequacy of emergency services at the venue.
Ramoji Film City, a renowned movie studio and event location, is now under scrutiny. An FIR (First Information Report) has been filed against the management of Ramoji Film City and the event organizers under sections of causing death by negligence and endangering life. The police are awaiting expert reports on the substandard 6mm iron cable that failed during the stunt.
Sanjay Shah’s death has sparked a discussion about safety standards in India, with many expressing concerns over the prioritization of costs over safety and a cultural mindset around risk and improvisation. The incident has also drawn attention to the working conditions and responses to accidents in the country.
Vistex, headquartered in Illinois, USA, and operating globally, now faces a period of uncertainty as it deals with the aftermath of this incident. The company, known 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 leave a lasting legacy.
