A tragic incident at Ola Krutrim, the artificial intelligence division of Ola, has ignited widespread discussions on workplace stress and toxic corporate culture.
On May 8, 2025, Nikhil Somwanshi, a young engineer at Krutrim, allegedly died by suicide due to extreme work pressure.
The incident has led to public outrage, with employees and netizens calling for greater accountability and mental health support in high-pressure work environments.
Allegations of Toxic Work Culture at Ola
The controversy surrounding Nikhil’s death began when a Reddit post surfaced, claiming that he was overburdened with responsibilities despite being a recent graduate.
The post alleged that:
- Nikhil was leading a project despite being a fresher.
- Two of his colleagues had left the company, forcing him to handle their workload.
- His US-based manager, Rajkiran Panuganti, allegedly verbally abused employees, particularly freshers.
- Employees were forbidden from discussing the incident with the media or authorities.
The post painted a grim picture of the workplace culture at Krutrim, describing it as “pathetic” and “traumatic”.
Ola’s Response to the Incident
Ola confirmed Nikhil’s death and expressed condolences to his family.
They stated, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of one of our most talented young employees, Nikhil, on the 8th of May.”
The company added, “Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time”.
The company stated that Nikhil was on personal leave when the incident occurred. He had previously requested time off due to exhaustion.
His leave was extended on April 17, after he reported needing additional rest.
Critics argue that temporary leave may have been insufficient to relieve the ongoing pressure.
They emphasize the need to address systemic workplace issues to prevent similar incidents.
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