Schaeffler India MD taken into custody over investigation into a fatal factory accident

Mumbai: Schaeffler India CEO and Managing Director Harsha Gopal Kadam has been taken into custody for investigation into a June 9 accident at the company’s factory in Talegaon, Pune, that killed two workers employed by its service provider, the Indian subsidiary of the German auto component maker said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

The manufacturer of high precision engine and transmission parts, said the Talegaon MIDC Police Station, under the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, had taken Kadam into custody on October 19 under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The accident involved a sudden discharge of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas during a scheduled cylinder replacement at the factory premises, resulting in the deaths of the two workers, the company said.


The scope of the investigation has now been expanded to include Kadam on the grounds that he is the “occupier” of the factory premises under applicable law, according to the filing. He was taken into custody at around 6.40 pm on October 19.

“The Company and its officers have duly co-operated in the investigation and will continue to do so,” Schaeffler India said in the filing.

The company said it was evaluating the developments in consultation with its legal advisers and would take the necessary steps in accordance with applicable law.

“The Company’s senior management continues to be in-charge of the day-to-day management, and the business operations of the Company continue in the ordinary course,” it said.

Schaeffler India added that it “has complied and continues to comply with all laws applicable to it” and would take all necessary steps to resolve the situation in accordance with applicable law.