I Have Been Warning About Bhavish Aggarwal and His Ethics
Bhavish Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Ola and Ola Electric, is often hailed as one of India’s most disruptive entrepreneurs. His push to transform urban mobility through ride-hailing and electric vehicles (EVs) has won global attention. However, in recent years — especially in the last few months — serious concerns have emerged about the ethics and transparency of the companies he leads.
Discrepancy in Sales Data
One major controversy involves Ola Electric’s EV sales figures for February 2025. Government data from the VAHAN portal — India’s official vehicle registration tracker — reported just 8,600 units sold, with market share plunging to 11.4% from 25% in January. Yet in its stock exchange filings, Ola Electric claimed 25,000 units sold and a market share of 28%.
This large discrepancy prompted the Ministry of Heavy Industries and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to seek explanations. The gap raises questions about the company’s transparency, especially with its IPO on the horizon.
Trade Certificate Violations
Ola Electric also received notices from four state transport departments for violations related to trade certificates at several retail outlets. These are required for test drives and temporary vehicle movement. While Ola has said it’s responding, critics point to a broader trend of regulatory lapses.
Allegations of Hostile Workplace Culture
Reports have surfaced over time alleging a toxic and high-pressure work culture at Ola and Ola Electric. Ex-employees describe it as autocratic and chaotic, with frequent top-down decisions and little room for dissent. These conditions have led to high attrition, especially at the senior level.
In 2024, several top executives abruptly exited the company. Though officially cited as “personal reasons,” internal sources point to conflicts over Aggarwal’s leadership style. These exits have raised concerns among investors and employees alike.
Ethics Must Match Ambition
Entrepreneurs like Bhavish Aggarwal help shape India’s tech landscape, but as their influence grows, so must their accountability. Innovation alone cannot justify lapses in integrity.
This article isn’t an attack on vision or disruption. It’s a call for responsible leadership and transparency. The allegations against Ola Electric deserve more than rehearsed responses — they demand introspection and reform.
For India’s startup ecosystem to mature, it must hold founders to higher ethical standards and not overlook red flags in pursuit of market dominance.