Bengaluru, 20 Oct

A case has been registered against the founder of Ola Electric and other senior officials of the company following the suicide of a 38-year-old engineer, who had accused them of "harassment", police said on Monday.

The deceased identified as K Aravind, had been working as a Homologation Engineer with Ola Electric in Koramangala since 2022.

In a statement, the company spokesman said the firm has challenged the registration of the FIR before the Karnataka High Court, and protective orders have been passed in favor of Ola Electric and its officials.

"We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of our colleague, Aravind, and our thoughts remain with his family during this difficult time. Aravind had been associated with Ola Electric for over three and a half years and was based at our headquarters in Bangalore," the statement said.

It also said that 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.

"To provide immediate support to the family, the company said it promptly facilitated the full and final settlement to his bank account," the statement added.

According to the police, Aravind’s brother, Ashwin Kannan, stated in a complaint that on 28 September, Aravind allegedly attempted suicide at his apartment in Chikkalasandra and was rushed to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries despite medical efforts.

A 28-page handwritten note was recovered from Aravind’s room, in which he purportedly blamed his superiors for mental harassment and non-payment of salary and allowances, leading him to consume poison.

Citing the death note of Aarvind, his brother complained that Subrat Kumar Das, Head of Homologation Engineering, Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal, and other company officials had subjected Aarvind to "sustained workplace harassment and withheld his salary and dues, causing him severe distress".

The complaint also mentioned that Rs 17.46 lakh was transferred to Aravind’s bank account through NEFT on 30 September, two days after his death, which the family termed “suspicious.”

When questioned, the company representatives allegedly gave “unclear explanations” and appeared to be an attempt to cover up internal lapses, the complaint said.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered on 6 Octobe at Subramanyapura police station against Subrat Kumar Das, Bhavish Aggarwal, and others under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway, police said.

The company statement also said that "Ola Electric is fully cooperating with the authorities in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace for all employees," the statement added.