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Introduction
In a heartbreaking development that has sent shockwaves through India’s tech community, a young machine learning engineer from Ola’s AI subsidiary Krutrim has been found dead in Bengaluru. The case has reignited the conversation around toxic work environments and mental health in the high-pressure world of startups. With social media posts alleging that extreme work stress led to his tragic demise, the incident is drawing intense scrutiny—especially toward Krutrim’s internal culture and management practices.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of what happened, the viral claims online, and an in-depth analysis of what this incident says about India’s growing startup ecosystem.
the Incident
Nikhil Somwanshi, a 25-year-old engineer working at Ola-backed AI startup Krutrim, was found dead at Agara Lake in Bengaluru on May 8. While the official cause of death is not confirmed publicly, a viral Reddit post suggests that the young engineer may have taken his own life due to excessive work pressure and a toxic team culture.
In response, Krutrim issued a public statement expressing deep sorrow. The company emphasized that Nikhil was on personal leave starting April 8 and had requested time off due to fatigue. The leave was extended after he mentioned feeling slightly better but still needing rest.
Krutrim confirmed it is cooperating with authorities and offering full support to Nikhil’s family and affected colleagues. However, the conversation online has been far from calm.
A Reddit user by the name ‘Kirgawakutzo’ posted a detailed allegation claiming that Nikhil had been overburdened with work following the exit of two project teammates. The post accused a manager named Rajkiran Panuganti of mistreating junior employees, particularly freshers. It alleged that Rajkiran was absent most of the time due to being based in the U.S., and mismanaged his team through harsh communication in meetings.
According to the Redditor, Nikhil’s situation deteriorated after being left to manage multiple roles and mounting responsibilities without adequate support. The post further claimed that the company showed no behavioral changes even after Nikhil’s death and accused internal authorities of trying to suppress the story.
The thread quickly gained traction on Reddit and other social platforms, with many users expressing anger, sadness, and calling for an official investigation.
What Undercode Say:
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the unchecked pressures that exist in modern startup culture, especially in fast-scaling tech environments like AI development. While innovation remains the cornerstone of such companies, the human cost often goes underreported—until tragedies like this force attention.
At 25, Nikhil represented the vibrant young talent driving India’s AI revolution. However, this loss also uncovers the systemic issues prevalent in many startup ecosystems:
Overburdening Freshers: The Reddit post implies Nikhil was leading a project typically reserved for senior staff, suggesting a lack of structured team management. Startups often promote a “hustle” mindset, but assigning heavy responsibility to inexperienced workers without mentorship can be dangerous.
Remote Management Failures: With Rajkiran allegedly working from the U.S., yet leading a Bengaluru-based team, the communication gap appears to have widened. Poor leadership, compounded by timezone differences, may have created a disjointed, unsupportive environment.
Mental Health Negligence: Although Krutrim acknowledged Nikhil’s request for leave, it’s unclear whether the company has robust mechanisms in place to identify and support mental health crises. Offering time off is a start—but it cannot replace active emotional intelligence in leadership and psychological safety at work.
Post-incident Inertia: If the Reddit post is to be believed, Krutrim has not made any visible changes or acknowledgments about internal behavioral reform. This raises questions about accountability and transparency.
Suppression of Information: Claims that the company is attempting to “shut down the news” point toward a disturbing trend in corporate crisis management—damage control over damage understanding. If proven true, this could result in significant reputational damage for Krutrim and Ola.
The startup world thrives on speed, but
🕵️ Fact Checker Results:
✅ Confirmed: Krutrim publicly acknowledged Nikhil Somwanshi’s death and his personal leave.
⚠️ Unverified: Reddit allegations against the manager and claims of internal toxicity remain anonymous and unproven officially.
❌ Disputed: Claims of a corporate cover-up lack credible evidence at this point.
🔮 Prediction
Given the public outcry and the virality of the Reddit post, it’s likely that:
1. Authorities may initiate an independent inquiry
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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