FIR Against Ola Founder After Employee Suicide; Company Moves High Court
Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal and senior executives face an FIR for alleged abetment of suicide after a company employee died by suicide, citing workplace harassment and salary issues. The company has secured protective orders from the Karnataka High Court challenging the police case.
Key Developments
- FIR registered against Bhavish Aggarwal and Ola officials for alleged abetment of suicide
- Deceased employee left 28-page suicide note alleging harassment and non-payment
- Ola Electric challenges FIR in Karnataka High Court, obtains protective orders
- Company claims employee never raised harassment complaints during 3.5-year tenure
What the FIR Reveals
According to Bengaluru police, 38-year-old K Aravind, a Homologation Engineer with Ola Electric, attempted suicide on September 28 at his Chikkalasandra apartment. He was rushed to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Police recovered a 28-page handwritten suicide note where Aravind accused his superiors of mental harassment and withholding salary and allowances. The note allegedly stated these factors drove him to consume poison.
Aravind’s brother, Ashwin Kannan, filed a complaint naming Subrat Kumar Das (Head of Homologation Engineering), Bhavish Aggarwal, and other officials for “sustained workplace harassment and withheld his salary and dues, causing him severe distress.”
The family raised suspicions about ₹17.46 lakh transferred to Aravind’s account two days after his death on September 30. They described the NEFT transaction as “suspicious” and claimed company representatives gave “unclear explanations” about internal lapses.
Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR on October 6 at Subramanyapura police station under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Ola’s Official Response
Ola Electric expressed deep sadness over Aravind’s demise and stated their thoughts remain with his family. The company emphasized that during his 3.5-year tenure, Aravind never raised any harassment complaints or grievances.
“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,” the company stated.
Ola explained the ₹17.46 lakh payment was Aravind’s full and final settlement processed to provide “immediate support” to his family. The company reaffirmed its commitment to “maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace for all employees.”
Legal Challenge in High Court
Ola Electric has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the FIR registration. The company confirmed that “protective orders have been passed in favour of Ola Electric and its officials” by the court.
Police investigation into the case continues as the legal battle unfolds between the company and the deceased employee’s family .
