“Ola Electric is cooperating fully with the authorities in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive workplace for all employees,” Ola Electric said in a statement. File | Photo credit: Reuters
Charges have been registered against the founder of Ola Electric and other senior officials of the company following the death of a 38-year-old engineer who accused them of “harassment”, police said on Monday (Oct 20, 2025). The deceased, identified as K. Aravind, was working as a homologation engineer at Ola Electric in Koramangala since 2022.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said the firm challenged the registration of an FIR in the Karnataka High Court and protective orders were issued in favor of Ola Electric and its officials.
“We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate passing of our colleague Aravind and our thoughts remain with his family at this difficult time. Aravind was associated with Ola Electric for over three and a half years and was based at our headquarters in Bengaluru,” the statement said.
It also stated that during his tenure, Aravind never raised any grievance or complaint regarding his employment or any harassment. His role also did not involve any direct interaction with the top management of the company, including the promoter.
“To provide immediate support to the family, the company said it has immediately facilitated a full and final settlement into his bank account,” the statement added.
According to the police, Aravind’s brother Ashwin Kannan said in the complaint that on September 28, Aravind allegedly attempted to commit suicide at his apartment in Chikkalasandra and was taken to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries despite medical efforts.
A 28-page handwritten note was recovered from Aravind’s room in which he allegedly accused his superiors of mental harassment and non-payment of salary and allowances, which led him to consume poison.
Citing Aarvind’s death certificate, his brother complained that Subrat Kumar Das, head of homologation engineering, Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal and other company officials subjected Aarvind to “sustained workplace harassment and withheld his salary and dues, causing him serious hardship”.
The complaint also stated that Rs 17.46 lakh was transferred to Aravind’s bank account through NEFT on September 30, two days after his death, which the family termed as “suspicious”.
Company representatives allegedly gave “vague explanations” when asked and what appeared to be an attempt to cover up internal errors, the complaint said.
Based on the complaint, a case under Section 108 (incitement to commit suicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against Subrat Kumar Das, Bhavish Aggarwal and others at the Subramanyapura police station on October 6. Further investigation is underway, police said.
The company’s statement also said that “Ola Electric is fully cooperating with authorities in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive workplace for all employees,” the statement added.
Published – 20 October 2025 17:57 IST
