Startup Originals Team
In Bengaluru, a serious legal case has emerged following the tragic death of a 38-year-old engineer employed by Ola Electric. The engineer left behind a 28-page handwritten note alleging workplace harassment, salary issues and undue pressure. Based on this, the Bengaluru City Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming Ola Electric’s founder Bhavish Aggarwal and senior officials.
The Incident & Key Facts
The deceased, identified as K Aravind, was working as a Homologation Engineer at Ola Electric’s Koramangala facility since 2022. He allegedly died by suicide on September 28, 2025.
A 28-page death note was recovered from his residence in Chikkalasandra, in which he accused senior management – including Bhavish Aggarwal and senior executive Subrat Kumar Das – of severe mental harassment, unpaid salaries and allowances.
An additional point of concern: Two days after the engineer’s death, a sum of ₹ 17.46 lakh was transferred to his account via NEFT, which his family has flagged as “suspicious”.
Legal Action & Allegations
- The FIR was lodged on October 6, 2025 at the Subramanyapura Police Station under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) and Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- The accused include Bhavish Aggarwal, Subrat Kumar Das, and other senior officials of Ola Electric.
- The company has challenged the FIR in the Karnataka High Court, and protective orders have been passed in favour of the company and its executives.
Company Response & Current Status
Ola Electric, in its official statement, expressed regret over the engineer’s death and said the employee had never raised any grievances regarding harassment or employment issues during his tenure of over three and a half years.
The company also noted it had facilitated the “full and final settlement” payment to the deceased’s bank account as immediate support to the family. However, it denied the allegations of harassment and asserted that the deceased did not interact directly with the top management.
Implications & Wider Concerns:
- The case has triggered wider discussion around workplace culture, employee welfare and mental health in India’s tech and manufacturing sectors.
- The legal accusations of “mental harassment” and non-payment of dues are serious, and if proven, could have substantial reputational and regulatory consequences for Ola Electric and its leadership.
- For companies operating in high-pressure environments such as EV manufacturing and tech, this case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust employee grievance mechanisms and proactive mental-health support frameworks.
