A case has been registered against Bhavish Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Ola Electric, along with several senior officials of the company, following the suicide of a 38-year-old employee in Bengaluru.
The deceased, K Aravind, had been working as a Homologation Engineer at Ola Electric’s Koramangala office since 2022.
His death has triggered serious allegations of workplace harassment and financial misconduct, prompting police action and public scrutiny.
Allegations Detailed in 28-Page Handwritten Note
According to the FIR filed by Aravind’s brother, Ashwin Kannan, the engineer allegedly consumed poison on September 28 at his apartment in Chikkalasandra.
He was rushed to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
A 28-page handwritten note was recovered from his residence, in which Aravind reportedly accused his superiors of mental harassment and non-payment of salary and allowances.
The note specifically named Bhavish Aggarwal and Subrat Kumar Das, Head of Homologation Engineering, among others.
The complaint alleges that Aravind was subjected to persistent pressure and humiliation at work, which led to severe mental distress.
It also claims that the company withheld dues and failed to address his grievances, contributing to his decision to end his life.
FIR Registered Against Ola Electric Leadersip, Legal Proceedings Initiated
The FIR was registered on October 6 under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including abetment to suicide.
The case has been filed at the jurisdictional police station in Bengaluru, and investigations are underway.
The police have confirmed that they are examining the contents of the death note and the complaint. Their goal is to determine the extent of culpability in the case.
Ola Electric has responded by challenging the FIR in the Karnataka High Court.
The company stated that protective orders have been passed in favor of its officials and that it is cooperating with the investigation.
In a public statement, Ola Electric expressed condolences, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of our colleague, Aravind, and our thoughts remain with his family during this difficult time.”
Posthumous Transfer Raises Further Questions
After Aravind’s death, a posthumous transfer of ₹17.46 lakh was reportedly made to his account.
The timing and intent behind this payment have raised serious questions.
The family has cited this payment as evidence of withheld dues. They have demanded a thorough audit of Aravind’s employment records and financial entitlements.
The incident has sparked conversations about mental health, workplace ethics, and accountability in India’s fast-growing tech and startup ecosystem.
Employee advocacy groups have called for stronger safeguards and grievance redressal mechanisms within private companies.
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