Nikhil Somawanshi, a 24-year-old machine learning engineer at Ola's AI unit Krutrim, died by suicide, with his body found in Bengaluru's Agara Lake on May 8, 2025. Before his death, he messaged a friend asking that his passing be reported as accidental. Somawanshi, a master's graduate from IISc with notable work on AI projects supported by the Melinda Gates Foundation, had joined Krutrim in August 2024.

The tragic death of 25-year-old Nikhil Somwanshi, an engineer at Krutrim Ola's AI division, has raised serious concerns about workplace pressure and mental health in the tech industry. #thesentinel #ola #crime pic.twitter.com/WtiuWZmkuj

— The Sentinel (@Sentinel_Assam) May 20, 2025

A viral Reddit post alleged toxic workplace conditions at Krutrim, accusing intense work pressure, verbal abuse, and poor management by his US-based manager. The post claimed Somawanshi was overwhelmed after being placed in a leadership role following colleagues' resignations. Despite these claims, Krutrim stated he was on personal leave due to illness and offered condolences but did not address the accusations.

Krutrim, a key part of Ola's AI ambitions, became India's first AI unicorn in early 2024 after raising $50 million in funding. Police continue to investigate the unnatural death case.