Case Filed Against Ola Electric Leadership
Bengaluru police have registered a case against Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and other senior officials, including Subrat Kumar Dash, Head of Vehicle Homologations and Regulations, following the alleged suicide of a 38-year-old employee, K. Aravind. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed on October 6, after Aravind's brother, Ashwin Kannan, lodged a complaint.
Aravind, a homologation engineer at Ola Electric since 2022, reportedly died by suicide on September 28, allegedly by consuming poison. The case has been registered under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) and Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Allegations of Harassment and Unpaid Dues
The core of the allegations stems from a 28-page handwritten suicide note reportedly left by K. Aravind. In the note, addressed to his brother, Aravind allegedly accused Bhavish Aggarwal and Subrat Kumar Dash of prolonged mental harassment, excessive work pressure, and the non-payment of salaries and incentives. The note reportedly expressed his inability to bear the pressure and sought justice through legal action against those responsible.
Aravind's brother, Ashwin Kannan, discovered the note and subsequently filed the complaint with the Subramanyapura Police Station in Bengaluru.
Suspicious Financial Transaction and Company's Response
Adding a layer of complexity to the case, Rs 17,46,313 (approximately Rs 17.5 lakh) was reportedly credited to Aravind's bank account via NEFT two days after his death. This unexpected transaction raised suspicions among his family members, who alleged it could be an attempt at a 'cover-up' by the company.
Ola Electric, in its statement, expressed sadness over Aravind's demise and stated that it had 'promptly facilitated the full and final settlement' to his account. The company also asserted that Aravind had never raised any complaints or grievances regarding his employment or harassment during his tenure. Furthermore, Ola Electric claimed that Aravind's role did not involve any direct interaction with the company's top management, including the CEO.
Legal Developments and Ongoing Investigation
Ola Electric has challenged the registration of the FIR before the Karnataka High Court. The High Court has since issued protective orders, directing the Bengaluru police not to 'harass' the petitioners, including Bhavish Aggarwal and Subrat Kumar Dash, 'in the guise of investigation'. The court, however, has not restricted the police from proceeding with the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Police officials have indicated that they are investigating the claims of workplace harassment and delayed payments, and are seeking company records to verify payment practices. No arrests have been made in connection with the case so far.
5 Comments
Rotfront
Ola settled the dues, that's what companies do. Calling it a cover-up is speculative.
Karamba
Easy to blame the top brass. What about individual responsibility or personal issues?
Mariposa
A suicide note isn't proof. This could be a fishing expedition by the family.
Matzomaster
The post-death payment looks incredibly suspicious. Clear cover-up attempt.
Muchacha
While the suicide note paints a grim picture, Ola's claim that Aravind had no direct interaction with top management adds a layer of complexity that needs thorough probing.