A 25-year-old AI engineer at Ola’s Krutrim dies by suicide in Bengaluru, sparking outrage over toxic corporate culture, mental health neglect, and abusive management in India’s tech industry.
Introduction
The tragic death of 25-year-old Nikhil Somwanshi, a machine learning engineer at Ola’s AI startup Krutrim, has sparked a wave of outrage on social media.
Allegations from former colleagues and media reports suggest that Nikhil died by suicide due to a toxic work environment and pressure from an abusive manager.
The Tragic Discovery
Body Found in Agara Lake
On May 8, authorities discovered Nikhil Somwanshi’s body in Bengaluru’s Agara Lake. Following this,
a First Information Report (FIR) was filed to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Nikhil had recently completed his master’s degree at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, with a stellar 9.30 GPA. Furthermore he joined Krutrim in August 2024 as a machine learning engineer.
Allegations of Toxic Work Culture
Reddit Post Sparks Outcry
Shortly after Nikhil’s death, a Reddit user named ‘Kirgawakutzo’ — claiming to be his colleague — accused Krutrim’s US-based manager, Rajkiran Panuganti, of creating a toxic and hostile work environment.
The post alleged that Nikhil was burdened with the work of three employees after his teammates resigned due to the manager’s behavior.
Verbal Abuse and Hostility
The Reddit user described Panuganti as someone who used “traumatic” and demeaning language in meetings, especially toward junior staff.
Allegedly, the manager often shouted at employees, belittled them, and then disappeared from communication — citing his remote location in the US.
Nikhil’s Final Days
Requested Time Off
On April 8, Nikhil 25 year old boy reportedly asked for personal leave, stating he needed rest. In fact Krutrim granted this immediately.
Nine days later, he asked for an extension, saying he felt better but needed more time. Furthermore the company approved this request as well.
Still Under Pressure
Despite being on leave, Nikhil’s co-workers claimed that the toxic environment had already taken a toll on his mental health.
Moreover the pressure of handling multiple roles, lack of support, and ongoing mistreatment allegedly led him to suicide.
Company’s Response
Official Statement
Krutrim, a division of Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola, expressed deep sorrow. In an email to media outlets, a company spokesperson said:
“We are heartbroken by this loss. Nikhil 25 year old man was a valued team member. His absence will be deeply felt. We are extending full support to his family and colleagues during this time.”
The spokesperson confirmed that Nikhil was on personal leave and that the company was cooperating with the authorities.
Further Allegations
Manager’s Behavior After Death
Shockingly, ‘Kirgawakutzo’ claimed that the manager continued to mistreat staff even after learning about Nikhil’s death.
One allegation mentioned that the manager even emailed HR asking them to fire the entire team.
Multiple Employee Testimonies
Media reports from Business Standard and Financial Express quoted former employees who confirmed the abusive behavior.
One ex-employee said they resigned without another job offer because the pressure made them feel suicidal.
Another mentioned that Panuganti lacked basic management skills and used foul language in meetings.
Not an Isolated Case
Similar Tragedies in Corporate India
Nikhil’s death is not the first time toxic work culture has been blamed for an employee’s death. In previous years:
Anna Sebastian, a 26-year-old at Ernst & Young, died of cardiac arrest. Her family blamed excessive work pressure.
A 42-year-old Bajaj Finance employee also died by suicide and left a note blaming workplace pressure.
These cases highlight the growing mental health crisis in high-pressure corporate environments.
Public Reaction and Aftermath
Outrage on Social Media
The Reddit post about Nikhil’s suicide went viral, triggering widespread anger against Ola and its AI division, Krutrim.
Many users called out the company for ignoring employee well-being and fostering a culture of fear.
No Signs of Improvement
The Reddit user noted that despite the public outcry, the work environment at Krutrim had not changed.
He claimed that several current employees feared they might suffer the same fate if they continued working under the same conditions.
A Personal Voice from the Working Class
“I also work in a private job and I know how intense the pressure can be. The government needs to pay attention to this.
Work is important, but not more than life itself.
Some people become bosses and treat their juniors like mere servants — as if that gives them the right to behave however they want. People endure their abusive behavior out of helplessness.
The government should make specific regulations for the private sector that protect staff from mental pressure.
We are human beings — we weren’t born just to work ourselves to death.”
This personal message reflects the pain and frustration felt by countless private sector employees across India, urging the government to act before more lives are lost.
Conclusion
The death of 25 year old Nikhil Somwanshi has brought attention to a serious issue that many in the tech industry face — the dangerous effects of toxic work culture.
While Ola and Krutrim have issued statements and pledged support, employees and the public continue to demand accountability and genuine change.
As the investigation continues, many hope that this tragedy becomes a wake-up call for companies to prioritize mental health and humane work environments.