Goa consumer forum issues bailable warrant against Bhavish Aggarwal after Ola Electric failed to return customer's scooter

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, South Goa has issued a bailable warrant against Bhavish Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Ola Electric Technologies Pvt Ltd, after he failed to appear before it in connection with a consumer complaint.

The warrant, issued in February 2026 under Section 73 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directs the Police Inspector of the Koramangala Police Station in Bengaluru to arrest and produce Aggarwal before the Commission on February 23, 2026 at 10.30 am.

The Commission has permitted his release on bail upon furnishing a bond of Rs 1,47,499 with one surety in the like amount through the concerned police station. The bail amount corresponds to the purchase price of the scooter that is the subject matter of the complaint.

The case arises from a complaint filed under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 by Pritesh Chandrakant Ghadi of Chicalim, Mormugao. Ghadi purchased an Ola S1 Pro 2nd Generation scooter on August 16, 2023 for Rs 1,47,499. The vehicle was delivered on November 2, 2023.

In his complaint, Ghadi alleged recurring defects, including unwanted motor noise, touchscreen malfunction requiring repeated rebooting, and Bluetooth connectivity issues.

He further stated that the scooter was handed over to an authorised dealer of Ola Electric at Vasco for repairs, but that its present whereabouts are not known. He has sought refund of the purchase amount along with compensation of Rs 50,000 and litigation costs, alleging deficiency in service and unfair trade practices.

In an earlier order dated January 20, 2026, the Commission recorded the complainant’s submission that the scooter had been handed over to the dealer and that its whereabouts remained unclear. Counsel for the opposite parties expressed inability to clarify the position.

The Commission observed that since the vehicle was handed over to the opposing parties and its whereabouts were not known, “it is necessary to call upon the CEO and founder of Ola Electric Ltd, Bhavish Aggarwal, to remain present in person to clarify the whereabouts of the said bike and to explain why the same has not been reported and delivered after the necessary request made by the complainant.”

A notice dated January 28, 2026 directed Aggarwal to remain present before the Commission on February 4, 2026 at 10.30 am. Service of the notice was verified on January 31, 2026 through tracking records. When the matter was called on February 4, the opposite party remained absent. The case was called out twice before the Commission proceeded to issue the bailable warrant. The roznama records that Advocate Nikhil Dukle appeared for the opposite parties but stated that he had no instructions in the matter.

The Commission adjourned the matter to February 23, 2026.