South Goa Consumer Commission Issues Bailable Arrest Warrant for Ola Electric CEO
In a significant legal development, the South Goa consumer disputes redressal commission has taken stringent action against Ola Electric Technologies Pvt Ltd founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal. The commission has issued a bailable warrant against Aggarwal for his failure to appear before the judicial body despite receiving prior notice.
Police Directed to Execute Arrest Order
The commission has formally directed the Bengaluru police to arrest Bhavish Aggarwal and produce him before the commission in Margao on February 23 at 10:30 AM. According to the order issued by commission president Sanjay Chodankar, Aggarwal can secure his release by posting bail of Rs 1.47 lakh.
The commission had previously served notice to Aggarwal, requiring his personal presence on February 4 to provide clarification regarding the whereabouts of a complainant's electric scooter and to explain why the vehicle had not been repaired and returned within a reasonable timeframe. Despite this legal summons, the Ola Electric CEO failed to appear before the commission.
Background of the Consumer Complaint
The commission is currently adjudicating a complaint filed by a 26-year-old consumer who purchased an Ola S1 Pro Second Generation electric scooter on August 16, 2023, for Rs 1.47 lakh. The complainant reported that immediately after delivery, the scooter began exhibiting serious defects.
The primary issues documented include:
- Unwanted and persistent noise emanating from the motor
- A malfunctioning touchscreen that required rebooting every hour
- Subsequent bluetooth connectivity problems
The consumer stated that he repeatedly communicated these manufacturing defects to Ola Electric but received no substantive response. After multiple complaints at the company's Mormugao store, he eventually took the scooter to an authorized company showroom for repairs.
Company's Response and Ongoing Issues
According to the complaint, Ola Electric technicians acknowledged the defects and performed repairs estimated at Rs 18,627 on what was supposed to be a brand-new vehicle. However, after the scooter was returned to the consumer, the original problems persisted, and additional issues with bluetooth connectivity emerged.
The complainant has stated that the electric scooter remains in the custody of Ola Electric. He is now seeking a full refund of the purchase price amounting to Rs 1.47 lakh, along with additional compensation of Rs 50,000 for what he describes as loss of money value, harassment, and mental pain and agony suffered due to the defective product and poor customer service.
This case highlights growing consumer protection concerns in India's rapidly expanding electric vehicle market, particularly regarding after-sales service and product reliability. The commission's decision to issue an arrest warrant against a high-profile CEO underscores the seriousness with which consumer grievances are being treated in the judicial system.
