Schaeffler India CEO & MD taken into custody over June factory accident

Schaeffler India's CEO and Managing Director Harsha Gopal Kadam was taken into custody by the Talegaon MIDC Police Station on October 19 in connection with an investigation into a factory accident in June that killed two workers, the automotive and industrial parts maker said on Tuesday.

Kadam was taken into custody late Monday for investigation, the company said in an exchange filing.

The accident occurred on June 9 at Schaeffler India's factory premises in Talegaon, Pune, and involved the deaths of two workers employed by the company's service provider following a sudden discharge of carbon dioxide gas during a scheduled cylinder replacement.


The police investigation has now been expanded to include Kadam on the grounds that he is the 'occupier' of the factory premises under applicable law, the company said.

Schaeffler India said the company, along with its employees and officers, had cooperated with the authorities during the investigation and would continue to do so.

It said that its senior management remained in charge of day-to-day operations and that business activities continued in the ordinary course.

Schaeffler India is evaluating the developments in consultation with its legal advisers and would take all necessary steps in accordance with applicable law.