The recent suicide of a young engineer at Ola’s AI arm, Krutrim, on May 8, 2025, has sparked serious concerns about toxic work culture within the organization. The engineer, a recent graduate from the Indian Institute of Science, had reportedly been on approved personal leave since early April, citing exhaustion and the need for rest.
However, anonymous social media posts alleged that the employee was under immense pressure, having been left to handle an entire project alone following the resignation of two team members. These accounts also accused Rajkiran Panuganti, head of Gen AI engineering at Krutrim, of creating a hostile work environment through verbal abuse and negligence, especially towards junior staff. Following the public outcry, Panuganti’s LinkedIn profile was taken down.
While Ola Krutrim acknowledged the death and confirmed the employee was officially on leave, it has not responded to the specific allegations about workplace mistreatment. The incident has reignited debates around mental health, burnout, and the high-pressure culture prevalent in many Indian tech companies. It highlights a growing demand for companies to adopt more robust employee support systems, ensure accountability among leadership, and foster healthier, more sustainable workplace environments to protect the well-being of their workforce.
