Ola Electric FIR: Police continue probe despite High Court relief for CEO Bhavish Aggarwal

The investigation into the death of Ola Electric engineer K. Aravind is continuing despite the company and its top executives securing temporary protective orders from the Karnataka High Court, sources told CNBC-TV18 on Tuesday (October 21).

According to people privy to the investigation, the relief granted by the court is only interim in nature and does not prevent the police from proceeding with their inquiry. Officials say the court has not objected to the ongoing investigation, and the Subramanyapura Police will continue to follow due process.

The FIR names Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and senior company official Subrat Kumar Das, who, according to his LinkedIn profile, is Head of Homologations at Ola Electric. This is after 38-year-old K. Aravind, who had been with the company since 2022, was found dead at his Bengaluru residence on September 28.

A 28-page handwritten note recovered from the spot reportedly mentions workplace stress and blames company executives, including the CEO. Sources told us that the note has been sent for forensic verification.

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The complaint filed by Aravind’s family alleges sustained workplace pressure and humiliation while working at Ola Electric’s head office in Koramangala. The case has been registered under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment of suicide.

Sources also told CNBC-TV18 that the ₹17.5 lakh NEFT transfer made from an Ola Electric account to Aravind’s bank account two days after his death is not yet part of the police investigation. The transfer was reportedly made after the family met with the Ola team, and investigators have not formally included it in the case record at this stage.

Ola Electric, in its statement, said it is “deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of our colleague” and added that "Aravind never raised any complaint or grievance regarding his employment or any harassment." The company has also said it is fully cooperating with authorities and that the High Court has issued protective orders in favour of its officials.

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This marks the second suicide linked to an Ola group company in about six months. In May 2025, a 25-year-old engineer at Ola Krutrim, the company’s AI arm, was found dead in Bengaluru. Family members and former colleagues in that case had also cited work-related stress.

Police say the investigation will now focus on establishing causation, verifying the note and digital communication, and determining any managerial responsibility. For now, all allegations remain under inquiry.