Ola Electric challenges FIR registered against Bhavish Aggarwal, executives
The case was registered after a 28-page handwritten note was reportedly discovered, following the suicide of K Aravind, who worked as an engineer at Ola Electric.
Electric vehicle manufacturer Ola Electric on Tuesday confirmed that an FIR has been registered in the Karnataka HC against its promoter Bhavish Aggarwal and other executives.
In a statement, the company said it has challenged the registration of the FIR before the Karnataka High Court and that protective orders have been passed in favour of Ola Electric and its officials.
The firm said that it is fully cooperating in the investigation under the registered FIR and that no charge sheets have been filed. “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,” it said in a stock exchange disclosure.
The FIR was filed on October 6 following the suicide of K Aravind, a 28-year old homologation engineer at Ola Electric, in September this year.
According to multiple media reports, Aravind's family recovered a 28-page handwritten note that allegedly blamed management officials and Aggarwal for mental harassment, workplace pressure, and non-payment of salary. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Additionally, after Aravind’s death, Rs 17.46 lakh was transferred to his account, according to reports. In Ola Electric’s statement, it clarified that it had transferred the deceased’s full and final settlement to his family as part of their company’s support.
Moreover, the company also added that during Aravind’s tenure at the company, he never raised any formal complaints or grievances regarding his employment, and that his role did not involve any direct interaction with the company’s top management, including promoter Aggarwal.
“We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of our colleague, Mr. Aravind and our thoughts remain with his family during this difficult time,” the company added in the filing.
(Disclaimer: Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO of YourStory, is an independent director in Ola Electric)
Edited by Megha Reddy