Ola employee’s ‘suicide’ sparks outrage over toxic work culture

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Ola Krutrim, the artificial intelligence division of Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola, has confirmed the death by suicide of a young employee named Anil. The confirmation came days after a Reddit post went viral, alleging that Anil, a fresher, was under immense work pressure before he took the extreme step, as per a HT report. 

A Rising Star Lost Too Soon

Described as one of the company’s most promising young talents, Anil died by suicide on May 8. The company issued a formal statement mourning the tragic loss:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of one of our most talented young employees, Anil, on the 8th of May. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

Allegations of Crushing Workload

The incident came to light through a Reddit post, where a user—allegedly Anil’s colleague—shared distressing details. According to the post, Anil was handling the responsibilities of three employees after the departure of his two project teammates, despite being a newcomer.

“He used to work in Krutrim, and with 2 other guys leading a project (even after being a freshie). The other two guys left the company, so he was cramped up with work of the other two as well,” the Reddit user wrote.

Cry for Help Ignored?

Ola's statement mentioned that Anil had requested personal leave on April 8, citing exhaustion. His leave was extended on April 17 after he reported needing more rest. However, this temporary relief might not have been enough to offset the ongoing pressure.

Mounting Backlash and Employee Concerns

The incident has sparked outrage across social media platforms. Users are questioning corporate work culture, especially in high-stakes tech environments. However, according to the same Reddit user, the situation at Krutrim remains unchanged.

“Even after this shocking incident, there has been no behavioural change in people there. I heard other team members saying if they stay anymore here, they are going to end up doing the same,” the user added.

A Wake-Up Call for the Tech Industry?

Anil’s tragic death has ignited a wider conversation about mental health in India’s fast-paced tech sector. As the backlash against Ola intensifies, many are calling for deeper introspection into employee well-being, sustainable workloads, and corporate accountability.

No comments could be obtained from Ola in this connection.