Pune: Schaeffler India CEO Taken Into Custody Over June Factory Accident at Talegaon MIDC Plant That Killed Two Workers
Pune, 21st October 2026: Schaeffler India CEO and Managing Director Harsha Gopal Kadam was taken into custody by Talegaon MIDC police on October 19 in connection with an investigation into a factory accident in June that killed two workers during a carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas leak.
In a regulatory filing with the National Stock Exchange of India on Tuesday, the company said Kadam was taken into custody at around 6.40pm under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The investigation is being conducted by Talegaon MIDC police, under the Pimpri Chinchwad police commissionerate.
The company said the investigation had been expanded to include Kadam on the grounds that he is considered the “occupier” of the factory premises under applicable law. The company, its employees, officers and the managing director had been cooperating with the authorities, it added.
The accident occurred on June 9 at Schaeffler India’s factory in Talegaon MIDC, Pune district, when CO₂ gas was suddenly discharged during the scheduled replacement of cylinders in the factory’s firefighting system. Two workers employed by a service provider died, while three others were affected by the leak, according to reports published at the time.
The maintenance work was being carried out on the firefighting system when a cylinder’s safety pin was reportedly removed, triggering the release of gas. The affected workers were taken to hospital, where two were declared dead. Police began investigating the circumstances of the leak and whether safety procedures had been followed.
Schaeffler India said it was assessing the latest developments in consultation with its legal advisers and would take all necessary steps in accordance with applicable law. It maintained that it had complied with relevant laws and would continue to cooperate with the investigation.
The company also said its senior management remained in charge of day-to-day operations and that business activities continued in the ordinary course.
