A case of abetment to suicide was registered against Aggarwal and Das after a 38-year-old engineer with Ola, K Aravind, cited persistent workplace harassment in his death note.
Published Oct 20, 2025 | 1:54 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 20, 2025 | 2:25 PM
Besides Bhavish Aggarwal, senior executive Subrath Kumar Das, too, has been booked.
Synopsis: Aravind, who ingested poison, had left a 28-page death note, in which he alleged harassment at workplace, withholding his salary and allowances, and putting him under pressure.
Subramanyapura police in Bengaluru have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Ola founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and a senior executive, Subrath Kumar Das, following the death of an employee by suicide.
A case of abetment to suicide was registered against Aggarwal and Das after a 38-year-old engineer with Ola Electric, K Aravind, cited persistent workplace harassment as the motive for taking the extreme step on 28 September.
Aravind, who reportedly ingested poison, had left a 28-page death note, in which he alleged harassment at workplace, withholding his salary and allowances, and putting him under pressure.
The death note also mentioned alleged attempts tarnishing his reputation and causing mental torture.
Initially, a case was unnatural death was registered. After Aravind’s death, the company reportedly transferred about ₹17 lakh to his account through NIFT, which raised serious suspicions.
Following this, Aravind’s brother, Ashwin Kannan, lodged a complaint, alleging that the company made the transfer to cover up financial irregularities and was trying to frame his brother to hide their mistakes.
A request has been made to conduct an investigation and take appropriate action. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case under Section 108 r/w 3(5) of the BNS.
Police said notices were issued to the individuals named in the FIR. They have replied to the notices.
Further investigations are ongoing, police said.
Expressing sorrow over Aravind’s death, Ola Electric said he had no prior complaints and no direct contact with the top management. It said the deceased had been working with the firm for more than three years in its Bengaluru headquarters.
“We have challenged the registration of the FIR before the Honble Karnataka High Court and protective orders have been passed in favor of Ola Electric and its officials,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
It further said that “the company promptly facilitated the full and final settlement to his bank account” to provide immediate support to the family.
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.
