Bengaluru police have filed charges against Ola Electric Mobility CEO Bhavish Aggarwal following the tragic suicide of a 38-year-old engineer, K Aravind. The case has brought to light allegations of workplace harassment and financial exploitation within the company.

Allegations and Investigation

Aravind, who had been working as a homologation engineer at Ola Electric since 2022, took his own life on September 28 at his residence. In a 28-page suicide note, he accused Aggarwal and supervisor Subrat Kumar Das of subjecting him to mental harassment and financial exploitation.

The case took a turn when Aravind's family discovered a suspicious bank transfer of ₹17,46,313.00 made to his account two days after his death. This discovery prompted them to file a complaint, leading to an FIR being registered on October 6.

Legal Proceedings and Company Response

The First Information Report (FIR) alleges that constant harassment and financial exploitation led to Aravind's death. In response, Ola Electric has challenged the FIR in the Karnataka High Court. The company's stance includes the following points:

• Aravind had been with the company for three and a half years.
• He reportedly never raised any complaints during his tenure.
• The company claims he had no direct interaction with top management.
• The bank transfer made after his death was described as a full and final settlement to support the family.

Implications for Ola Electric

This incident raises questions about workplace culture and employee welfare at Ola Electric. As the case unfolds, it may have implications for the company's reputation and operations.

As this is an ongoing legal matter, further developments are expected as the investigation proceeds.

Ola Electric Mobility , India's largest EV company, has made a significant move beyond the automotive sector with the launch of Ola शक्ति, its first residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This strategic entry into the ₹1 lakh crore BESS market marks a pivotal moment for the company and the Indian energy storage landscape.

Key Highlights of Ola शक्ति

• Market Potential: The BESS market in India is projected to grow from ₹1 lakh crore to over ₹3 lakh crore by 2030.
• Production Scale: Ola Electric anticipates its annual Gigafactory consumption for BESS to reach 5 GWh in the coming years, potentially surpassing its automotive consumption.
• Indigenous Technology: Ola शक्ति is India's first fully domestically designed, engineered, and manufactured residential BESS, powered by Ola's indigenous 4680 Bharat Cells.
• Rapid Scalability: The system leverages Ola's existing 4680 cell technology, Gigafactory infrastructure, and distribution network, enabling quick scaling without additional capital expenditure or R&D investment.

Product Specifications and Pricing

Ola शक्ति is available in four configurations:

These introductory prices are applicable for the first 10,000 units.

Features and Benefits

• Efficiency: Up to 98% efficiency with zero running and maintenance costs.
• Safety: Automotive-grade safety standards.
• Versatility: Can power various appliances including air conditioners, refrigerators, and induction cookers.
• Quick Response: Instant 0 ms changeover time.
• Durability: IP67-rated weatherproof batteries tested for harsh environmental conditions.
• Smart Technology: Includes features like Time of Day scheduling, intelligent backup prioritization, and remote diagnostics.

Market Availability

Reservations for Ola शक्ति start at ₹999, with deliveries scheduled to begin on Makar Sankranti 2026. The product will be available through the Ola Electric website and Ola stores.

Bhavish Aggarwal, CMD of Ola Electric, emphasized the significance of this launch, stating, "India doesn't face energy shortage; it faces an energy storage opportunity. With Ola शक्ति, we are turning that opportunity into energy independence."

This move by Ola Electric represents a significant step in addressing India's energy storage needs and could potentially reshape the country's approach to clean energy utilization in residential and commercial settings.

As the company expands beyond electric vehicles, it will be interesting to observe how Ola Electric leverages its technology and manufacturing capabilities to compete in this rapidly growing market segment.