NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has quashed a bailable warrant and a personal summon issued against Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO and founder of Ola Electric Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
South Goa Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had issued the warrant against Aggarwal in January for failing to remain present before it despite being given prior notice. It was originally issued by the South Goa District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission following a dispute over a ‘missing’ electric scooter.
The High Court, described the commission’s actions as “arbitrary and perverse,” ruling that the consumer forum had overreached its jurisdiction. The High Court further noted that no personal allegations were made against Aggarwal, and summoning him violated the principles of natural justice.
The legal battle began when a consumer, Pritesh Ghadi, filed a complaint in March 2024 alleging a deficiency of service concerning an Ola vehicle he had purchased, seeking a refund of Rs 1,47,499 and compensation of Rs 50,000.
The case took a turn during a hearing on January 20, 2026, when Ghadi’s advocate claimed the vehicle had been handed over to an Ola dealer in Vasco for servicing but its current whereabouts were unknown.
When Ola’s legal counsel could not immediately clarify the vehicle’s location, the commission ordered CEO Bhavish Aggarwal to appear in person to provide an explanation. When Aggarwal did not appear for the subsequent hearing on February 4, 2026, the commission issued a bailable warrant for Rs 1,47,499—matching the cost of the vehicle. The warrant was to be executed through the Koramangala police station in Bangalore. Ola Electric challenged these orders of the commission before the High Court, arguing that the company was already represented by legal counsel and that CEO Aggarwal was not a personal party to the original complaint.
