K Aravind, a 38-year-old engineer at Ola Electric who allegedly died by suicide due to workplace harassment, had not received his variable pay and incentives for the past two years, his brother has claimed.
According to his elder brother, Ashwin Kannan, Aravind left behind a 28-page handwritten note addressed to his family, a Union minister from Karnataka, the police, and the media. In the note, he reportedly detailed the unpaid dues and urged his family to take legal action.
The family has now decided to approach the Labour Department to seek action against the company, which is headquartered in Bengaluru’s Koramangala.
Police Probe Into Ola Electric Engineer’s Suicide
Police on Tuesday said they have launched an investigation into the suicide of a 38-year-old engineer who worked with Ola Electric and had alleged harassment by his superiors.
K Aravind, who had been working as a homologation engineer with the electric vehicle company in Koramangala since 2022, allegedly attempted suicide at his apartment in Chikkalasandra on September 28. He was rushed to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries despite medical efforts.
Following the incident, Aravind’s brother, Ashwin Kannan, filed a complaint with the police, claiming that Subrat Kumar Dash, head of homologation engineering, Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal, and other company officials had subjected Aravind to “sustained workplace harassment” and withheld his salary and dues, causing him severe distress.
A 28-page handwritten note recovered from Aravind’s room reportedly blamed his superiors for mental harassment and non-payment of salary and allowances, which allegedly led him to consume poison.
Ola Electric Engineer’s Suicide: Rs 17.46 lakh Suspicious Transfer
The complaint also mentioned that Rs 17.46 lakh was transferred to Aravind’s bank account through NEFT on September 30, two days after his death, which the family described as “suspicious”.
A police officer told PTI that while a Karnataka High Court order prohibits harassment of Bhavish Aggarwal and Subrat Kumar Dash in connection with the investigation, it does not stay the probe. “Our investigation is ongoing. Since there is a High Court order, we are not arresting anyone at this stage,” the officer said.
In response, an Ola Electric spokesperson said the company has challenged the FIR in the Karnataka High Court, and protective orders have been passed in favour of the firm and its officials.