Goa Court Issues Warrant for Bhavish Aggarwal: The Ola Crisis

A bailable arrest warrant for the founder of a recently listed, multi-billion dollar EV giant is not a routine corporate event.

On February 13, 2026, the South Goa District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission did exactly that. It directed the Bengaluru police to arrest and produce Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal before the commission on February 23.

This is not a story about complex financial fraud or board-room coups. It is about a single, defective scooter and a company that seemingly couldn't find it.

The Trigger: A Missing S1 Pro

The case was brought by Pritesh Chandrakant Ghadi, who purchased an Ola S1 Pro (Second Gen) in August 2023 for ₹1.47 lakh. Shortly after delivery, the vehicle exhibited systemic failures: motor noise, touchscreen glitches, and Bluetooth connectivity issues.

When the vehicle was handed over to a dealer in Vasco for repairs, it effectively entered a black hole.

• The Claim: The customer alleges the company cannot account for the vehicle's whereabouts.

• The Cost: A demand for a full refund of ₹1.47 lakh plus ₹50,000 for mental agony.

• The Legal Friction: Despite notices served in January, the CEO failed to appear.

The Systemic Disconnect

When the matter reached the commission, the response from Ola’s counsel was telling. The advocate reportedly stated he had "no instructions" regarding the CEO’s personal appearance.

Under Section 73 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the court's patience ended. The commission fixed bail at exactly ₹1,47,499—the purchase price of the scooter.

This juxtaposition is jarring. A company that prides itself on AI-integrated manufacturing and rapid-scale deployment is being held to account for the most basic of retail failures: the inability to return a customer's property.

Beyond the Single Scooter

This warrant is a symptom of a larger friction point in Goa. In November 2025, the state government took the radical step of suspending Ola Electric's registration on the VAHAN portal. The reason? Persistent complaints regarding service support and repair delays.

Who loses in this scenario?

• The Founder: Personal legal jeopardy creates a massive optics problem for a listed company.

• The Consumer: Forcing a CEO into a consumer court is a victory for rights, but a sign of a broken grievance system.

• The Industry: It signals that "startup speed" is no longer a valid excuse for ignoring the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

What Happens on February 23?

The Bengaluru police have been tasked with producing Aggarwal in Margao at 10:30 AM. While the warrant is bailable, it requires a surety and a formal undertaking to appear.

For Ola Electric, the legal cost is secondary to the reputational tax. Can a "new-age" tech leader afford to be seen as a fugitive from a consumer forum over a service dispute?

FAQ: The Ola Electric Legal Crisis

1. Why was an arrest warrant issued against Bhavish Aggarwal? Because he failed to appear before the South Goa Consumer Commission despite a prior notice regarding a customer complaint.

2. Is this a non-bailable warrant? No, it is a bailable warrant. Aggarwal can be released on a bond of ₹1,47,499 and one surety.

3. What is the specific complaint against Ola Electric? A customer’s scooter, given for repair due to motor and software defects, was allegedly not returned, and its location remains unknown.

4. When is the next hearing? The Commission has set the next hearing for February 23, 2026.

5. Has Ola Electric responded to the warrant? As of February 17, 2026, the company has not provided an official public statement on the warrant.

6. Can a consumer court really order a CEO's arrest? Yes. Under the Consumer Protection Act and the BNSS, commissions have the power to enforce attendance to ensure accountability.