The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of South Goa has issued a bail bond against Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal for failing to appear before the commission in connection with a complaint filed by a consumer despite being given a notice before the date of hearing.
As he did not appear before the commission, the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has reportedly asked the Bengaluru police to arrest Bhavish Aggarwal and produce him before it.
In the case of the arrest, the police have been instructed to produce Bhavish Aggarwal before the commission on February 23 at 10:30 am, according to a report in The Times of India. Since this is a bail bond, Bhavish can be released on bond ₹1.47 million.
What is it against Bhavish Aggarwal?
One Pritesh Chandrakant Ghadi lodged a complaint against Bhavish Aggarwal regarding the whereabouts of an Ola two wheeler scooter – Ola S1 Pro Second Gen which he purchased in August 2023 for ₹1.47 million.
In his complaint, Chandrakant Ghadi said the scooter started making unusual noises from the engine shortly after he bought it. The complainant stated that the touch screen on the scooter was also not working properly.
He said he handed over his two-wheeler to an Ola Electric dealer in Vasco, Goa for repairs, but its location remains unknown even after a considerable period of time. He also mentioned that he had contacted the company several times but there was no response. That’s when he took the item to their showroom, the complainant said. Also read | Ola Electric’s revenue keeps falling; How much money can Bhavish get?
In his complaint, he stated that although the scooter was serviced at an additional cost, the problem persisted.
What did the commission say at the January hearing?
While hearing the case on January 20, the commission said in its order that since the whereabouts of the two-wheeler was unknown, “it is necessary to call upon the CEO and founder of Ola Electric Ltd, Bhavish Aggarwal to remain personally present and clarify” where the bike was and why it was not supplied to the consumer even after “necessary request by the complainant”.
Bhavish Aggarwal has been asked to appear before the Disputes Redressal Commission on February 4. As Bhavish allegedly failed to appear with her, a bailable arrest warrant was issued against him.
The order read: “Issue a bond against the Managing Director and Founder of OLA Electric Ltd, Bhavish Aggarwal in the amount of ₹1,47,499 with one surety of like amount, through the concerned Police Station…at…Bangalore.’
The case will now be heard on February 23.