Disgruntled customer sets Ola showroom on fire in Karnataka | Watch

PTC News Desk: A 26-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to an Ola Electric showroom in Karnataka following dissatisfaction with the servicing of his recently-purchased e-scooter, a police official confirmed on Wednesday. The incident highlights growing public frustration over service-related issues at Ola Electric, the country’s leading e-scooter manufacturer.

Reports indicate that many of Ola’s service centers are struggling with a backlog of complaints and difficulties in managing the growing demand. The accused, Mohammad Nadeem, a mechanic by profession, had purchased the electric scooter last month. However, shortly after, he began experiencing issues with the vehicle and took it to the service center multiple times for repairs.

A 26-year-old customer identified as Mohammad Nadeem set fire to an #Ola Electric showroom in #Kalaburagi, Karnataka, after repeated delays in repairing his electric scooter.

Fire destroys six vehicles, computer systems. The entire shop has been destroyed in the fire.#Ola… pic.twitter.com/ofjJdhz8DH

— Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) September 11, 2024

According to Sharanappa S.D., the Commissioner of Police for Kalaburagi—located about 570 kilometers from Bengaluru—Nadeem grew increasingly frustrated with the unsatisfactory service he received. “The response from the service center was not good, and he had to visit multiple times,” the commissioner explained. “On Tuesday, Nadeem went to the showroom again, carrying petrol, and set fire to six bikes.”

Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, but the damage to the showroom is estimated to be around Rs 850,000, according to the police. Ola Electric, which recently went public on the stock exchanges, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Reuters attempted to contact both Nadeem and the Ola showroom but did not receive a response.

Ola Electric currently operates 431 service centers across India, as listed on its official website, but growing concerns over service quality have led to increased scrutiny of the company’s post-purchase support systems.

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