Ola Electric Faces FIR After Employee Suicide

Ola Electric is embroiled in a legal battle following the suicide of a 38-year-old employee, with an FIR now filed against founder Bhavish Aggarwal and other senior officials. 

The company has approached the Karnataka High Court for relief, securing protective orders amid allegations of workplace harassment.

Timeline of Events

September 28, 2025: K. Aravind, a Homologation Engineer at Ola Electric's Bengaluru headquarters since 2022, attempted suicide by consuming poison at his Chikkalasandra apartment. He was rushed to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital but could not be saved.

September 29, 2025: Aravind succumbed to his injuries.

September 30, 2025: A payment of ₹17.46 lakh was transferred to Aravind's account via NEFT, which his family later flagged as suspicious.

October 6, 2025: Based on a complaint from Aravind's brother, Ashwin Kannan, Bengaluru Police registered an FIR at Subramanyapura police station.

October 20, 2025: Ola Electric publicly challenged the FIR and highlighted the High Court's interim orders in their favor. The police investigation continues.

Allegations against Ola Electric

The FIR invokes Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It stems from a 28-page handwritten suicide note discovered in Aravind's room, which reportedly details prolonged mental harassment and non-payment of salary and allowances by superiors. 

Aravind's family has questioned the timing of the post-death salary transfer and accused company representatives of providing evasive responses, hinting at a potential cover-up of internal lapses. 

This incident unfolds against a backdrop of intense scrutiny on Ola Electric, which has faced regulatory probes over product quality and service delays. As the investigation progresses, it raises broader questions about employee well-being in India's fast-paced EV sector.

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