Nearly two weeks after the body of a 25-year-old machine learning engineer of an AI firm was found in Bengaluru’s Agara Lake, allegations have surfaced on Reddit and media reports quoting unnamed employees that the engineer died by suicide due to toxic work culture and an exploitative manager. The body of the engineer, Nikhil Somwanshi, was found in the lake on May 8, and a first information report (FIR) was filed to look into the matter. Somwanshi joined Krutrim, an AI company owned by ride-hailing app Ola, in August 2024 as a machine learning engineer, shortly after completing his master’s degree at Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc). An outstanding student with a 9.30 GPA, he was allegedly burdened with the responsibilities of several former colleagues who resigned due to the conduct of their US-based manager, Rajkiran Panuganti. In a Reddit post, a user ‘Kirgawakutzo’ alleged Mr Panuganti routinely used “traumatic” language toward new recruits, fostered a hostile atmosphere, and created a toxic work environment that led to multiple team resignations. A Krutrim spokesperson said …