The recent death of Nikhil Somwanshi, a 25-year-old machine learning engineer at Ola Krutrim, has sparked a debate about workplace culture and the pressures faced by young tech professionals. Somwanshi was found dead in Bengaluru on May 8th, 2025, with initial reports suggesting a possible suicide.
News of Somwanshi's death gained public attention after an anonymous Reddit user, claiming to be a colleague, posted allegations of extreme work pressure at Krutrim. The post described a "traumatic" environment, particularly for freshers, and claimed that Somwanshi was managing a critical project initially assigned to a three-member team. Following the departure of the other two members, the entire workload allegedly fell on Somwanshi, a recent graduate of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), who had been with the company for less than a year.
The Reddit post further accused a senior manager, based in the United States, of creating a toxic atmosphere through verbal abuse and unreasonable pressure, particularly directed at junior team members. It was alleged that this manager used foul language in meetings and took out his frustrations on the team, despite the company not having delivered a single product even after a year of its formation. The post also suggested that Krutrim attempted to suppress news of Somwanshi's death.
Following the emergence of these allegations, Krutrim released a statement expressing their condolences and stating that Somwanshi was on personal leave at the time of his death. The company claimed that Somwanshi had reached out to his manager in early April, expressing his need for rest, and was granted time off. They further stated that his leave was extended after he indicated he would benefit from additional rest. Krutrim has stated they are extending full support to Somwanshi's family and are cooperating with authorities.
However, these claims have been met with skepticism online, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding Somwanshi's death and the company's response. Some anonymous users on Reddit have questioned why the issue was not being highlighted sooner. A former Krutrim employee corroborated the allegations of a high-pressure environment, stating that they resigned from the company due to the intense demands and had experienced suicidal thoughts during their tenure.
The police have registered a case of unnatural death and have summoned the manager of Ola's AI division for questioning. This investigation aims to determine the circumstances surrounding Somwanshi's death and address the allegations of a toxic work environment at Krutrim. The incident has brought to light the potential challenges faced by young professionals in demanding tech roles, particularly in fast-growing AI companies. It has also sparked a broader discussion about workplace culture, management practices, and the importance of employee well-being within the Indian tech industry.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and work-life balance, especially in high-pressure environments. It also underscores the need for companies to foster supportive and healthy work cultures where employees feel valued and are not subjected to undue stress and pressure. The outcome of the police investigation and any subsequent actions taken by Krutrim will be closely watched as the industry grapples with these critical issues.
