Case against Ola Electric founder, senior officials after employee’s suicide in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A case has been registered against the founder of Ola Electric and other senior officials of the company following the death by suicide of a 38-year-old engineer who had accused them of harassment. The deceased, identified as K Aravind, had been working as a Homologation Engineer with Ola Electric in Koramangala since 2022.

According to the police, Aravind’s brother, Ashwin Kannan, stated in a complaint that on September 28, Aravind allegedly attempted suicide at his apartment in Chikkalasandra and was rushed to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A 28-page handwritten note was recovered from his room, in which Aravind purportedly blamed his superiors for mental harassment and non-payment of salary and allowances, leading him to consume poison.

Citing the death note, the complainant alleged that Subrat Kumar Das, Head of Homologation Engineering, Bhavish Aggarwal, founder of Ola Electric, and other officials subjected Aravind to “sustained workplace harassment” and withheld his salary and dues, causing him severe distress.

The complaint also mentioned that ₹17.46 lakh was transferred to Aravind’s bank account through NEFT on September 30, two days after his death, which the family termed “suspicious.” When questioned, company representatives allegedly gave “unclear explanations,” which the family claimed appeared to be an attempt to cover up internal lapses.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered on October 6 at the Subramanyapura Police Station against Das, Aggarwal, and others under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway, police said.

In a statement, the company spokesperson said Ola Electric has challenged the registration of the FIR before the Karnataka High Court, and protective orders have been passed in favour of the company and its officials. “We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of our colleague Aravind, and our thoughts remain with his family during this difficult time. Aravind had been associated with Ola Electric for over three and a half years and was based at our headquarters in Bengaluru,” the statement said.

The company added that during his tenure, Aravind never raised any complaint or grievance regarding his employment or any harassment. His role also did not involve any direct interaction with the company’s top management, including the promoter. To provide immediate support to the family, the company said it had promptly facilitated the full and final settlement to his bank account.

Ola Electric stated that it is “fully cooperating with the authorities in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace for all employees.”
(With PTI inputs)