Ola Electric CEO faces arrest warrant over missing electric scooter case
A bailable arrest warrant has been issued against Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder and CEO of Ola Electric. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of South Goa took this step after Aggarwal failed to appear at a scheduled hearing on February 4, 2023. The case involves a missing electric scooter linked to a consumer complaint from 2024.
The complaint was filed by Pritesh Chandrakant Ghadi, who submitted his Ola scooter for repairs at a service centre. According to the complaint, the company neither returned the vehicle nor provided any tracking details. The Commission then ordered Aggarwal to appear in person and clarify the scooter's whereabouts.
The warrant sets bail at ₹1,47,499, with one surety of the same amount to be posted at the Kormangala police station. Aggarwal's absence at the February 4 hearing led to the issuance of the warrant. The next hearing in the case is now set for February 23, 2023.
This is not the first legal challenge for Ola Electric. In 2024, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued a show cause notice to the company over alleged consumer rights violations and unfair trade practices. Previous complaints have also highlighted issues with defective electric scooters and poor after-sales service. Ola Electric has not responded to requests for comment on the latest developments.
The warrant requires Aggarwal to address the missing electric scooter complaint in court. If he fails to comply, further legal action may follow. The case adds to Ola Electric's ongoing regulatory challenges, with the next hearing scheduled for later this month.
