The consulate also disputed reports the man took his own life after being denied holiday leave. Instead, the consulate said in a statement: “He fell from Burj Khalifa and died.”
Investigations are ongoing into the incident reported widely by the international press due to the novelty of the incident allegedly being the first Burj Khalifa suicide.
Kannan’s remains are being repatriated with the help of the Indian mission in the UAE.
Col. Ali Ahmed Ghanem, director of Dubai Police, was quoted as saying Kannan worked as a foreman at a contracting company and committed suicide, leaving behind his shoes and a note. He also called on the public to avoid publishing rumors that he had problems with his employer and that the deceased had been distraught by the death of his brother.
Emaar Properties, which owns and manages the Burj Khalifa, also claimed the death was a suicide.
Kannan was identified by the consulate as an employee of Arabtec Construction LLC. A company spokesman was not available for comment on Wednesday.