Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed Bengaluru Police not to harass Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and other company officials in connection with an abetment to suicide case involving the death of a 38-year-old employee.
Justice Mohammad Nawaz issued the order last week while hearing a petition filed by Aggarwal, Ola Electric, and Subrat Kumar Dash, who heads the company’s vehicle homologation department. The petitioners sought quashing of the case and protection from coercive action by the police during the investigation.
“The police who are investigating the case registered at Subramanyapura Police Station, Bengaluru City, shall not harass the petitioners in the guise of investigation,” the court stated.
The case was filed on October 6, following a complaint by the deceased employee’s brother. The employee, who had been working with Ola Electric as a homologation engineer since 2022, allegedly died by suicide on September 28. He reportedly left behind a note accusing the management, including Aggarwal and Dash, of workplace harassment and withholding of salary and incentives.
The complainant further alleged that ₹17.46 lakh was transferred by Ola to the deceased’s bank account two days after his death, prompting suspicion. He claimed that the company’s representatives gave contradictory explanations regarding the transaction.
Following the complaint, police booked Aggarwal, Dash, and Ola Electric under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment of suicide and common intention.
The High Court has now issued notices to the Bengaluru Police and the complainant while restraining the authorities from any coercive or harassing actions against the petitioners pending further proceedings.
