Ola Electric Faces Police Probe Over Employee Suicide, Company Denies Allegations

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The following article contains reporting around a death by suicide. If you or any of your loved ones need help or are in mental distress, please reach out to the central government-supported TeleMANAS helpline (1800-891-4416) or download the Tele MANAS app

An FIR has been filed with the Bengaluru Police against Ola Electric, its founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and a senior executive of the company after an employee accused them of harassment in a note before dying by suicide, as per a report by Reuters. 

In a filing with the exchanges today, Ola Electric confirmed the development and said that an “FIR was recently registered in connection with this matter”. The company said that it has challenged the FIR in the Karnataka High Court, which has granted temporary protective relief to the company and its executives during the investigation.

“It is clarified that no chargesheet has been filed against the company or its officials,” the filing read. 

The FIR was registered on October 6 in connection with the incident which took place on September 28. The departed employee (name withheld), who was working with Ola Electric as a homologation engineer for about three years, allegedly accused the company and its executives of mental harassment, excessive workload, and non-payment of salary and dues. 

The deceased’s family filed a police complaint against Ola Electric and its executives after discovering the note, contending that the company had failed to pay regular salaries and incentives, resorted to intimidation, and neglected basic workplace standards.

In its filing today, the company said that the deceased never raised any complaint or grievance regarding his employment. Besides, the company added that his role did not involve any direct interaction with the company’s top management, including Aggarwal.

As per a report by ANI, the authorities discovered a transfer of about INR 17.5 Lakh from the company to the deceased account. 

“As part of our support to the bereaved family, the company promptly facilitated the full and final settlement” to the deceased’s bank account, Ola Electric said.

This is not an isolated incident for the Ola Group. Earlier this year, an engineer with Ola Krutrim’s data science team died by suicide on May 8 due to alleged work-related stress.

The tragic news adds to the plethora of workplace complaints against Ola Group and its management. 

Shares of Ola Electric were trading 2.7% lower at INR 53.31 at 13:58 during the Muhurat Trading on the BSE today.