Bengaluru: Krutrim AI Engineer’s Suicide Sparks Debate On Toxic Work Culture

Almost a fortnight after the body of a 25-year-old machine learning engineer working at an AI firm was discovered in Bengaluru's Agara Lake, serious allegations have emerged on Reddit and in media reports, citing unnamed staff members, suggesting the engineer took his own life due to a toxic workplace culture and an exploitative manager.

The engineer, Nikhil Somwanshi, was found dead on 8 May. A First Information Report (FIR) was subsequently lodged to investigate the incident.

Photo Credit: linkedin.com/in/nikhil-somwanshi-aa3774172

Somwanshi had joined Krutrim, an artificial intelligence company owned by the ride-hailing platform Ola, in August 2024, shortly after earning his master's degree from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. He was regarded as an exceptional student, graduating with a GPA of 9.30.

Reports allege that Somwanshi had been burdened with the responsibilities of several former colleagues who had resigned, reportedly due to the behaviour of their US-based manager, Rajkiran Panuganti.

In a Reddit post, a user by the name 'Kirgawakutzo' claimed that Panuganti regularly used "traumatic" language with new hires, nurtured a hostile working environment, and was responsible for a wave of team resignations.

A Krutrim spokesperson said the company was "heartbroken by the loss" and is fully cooperating with the authorities. The spokesperson also stated that Somwanshi was on leave at the time of his death.

"He reached out to his manager on April 8, expressing that he needed rest, and was promptly granted personal time off. Later, on April 17, he shared that he was feeling better but would benefit from additional rest, and his leave was extended accordingly," the company said in an email statement.

The Reddit user further alleged that the manager "continued to mistreat staff even after learning of the engineer's death."

Other Krutrim employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, described Panuganti as having a longstanding reputation for aggressive and demeaning conduct, frequently undermining junior staff and labelling them "incompetent."

A Business Standard report cited a former Krutrim employee who supported the allegations, stating they had resigned without another job offer due to "intense work pressure", and recalled "feeling suicidal."

The Financial Express quoted another ex-employee who had worked under Panuganti as saying: "Rajkiran has no people management skills. He shouts at employees and disappears. The verbal abuse in meetings was traumatic."

The incident has drawn comparisons to other recent cases, such as that of Anna Sebastian, a 26-year-old employee at Ernst & Young who died of cardiac arrest - a death her family attributed to excessive work stress and long hours.

Similarly, a 42-year-old employee of Bajaj Finance who died by suicide had reportedly blamed his superiors and workplace pressure in a note.