Pune: Schaeffler India MD Harsha Kadam Granted Bail in Talegaon Plant Gas Leak That Killed Two
Pune, 23rd October 2026: Schaeffler India managing director and CEO Harsha Gopal Kadam, 60, was granted bail by a court in Vadgaon Maval on Thursday after being formally arrested in connection with a CO2 leak at the company’s Talegaon MIDC plant on June 9 that killed two workers and injured four others.
Talegaon MIDC police had detained Kadam on October 19. However, his blood pressure spiked during a medical examination before his production in court, forcing his admission to Sassoon General Hospital. The court directed police to keep him under detention and guard at the hospital until his discharge and produce him immediately thereafter.
After his discharge, Kadam was formally arrested and produced before the court, which granted him bail, police said.
The leak occurred while expired CO2 cylinders in the plant’s fire suppression system were being replaced. Police initially registered an accidental death case before filing an FIR on July 4 against six people, including the company’s safety officer and personnel from two contractors involved in the work.
Police said seven accused had been arrested before Kadam and a chargesheet had already been filed.
Investigators alleged that the CO2 cylinders had been installed in a basement pit without the required permission. The pit lacked an exhaust fan or mechanical ventilation, while an inspection by the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health found that it did not conform to the company’s approved layout.
Police said Kadam, as the occupier of the premises, was responsible for the installation, as modifications could not be made without his permission. Negligence in the matter allegedly led to the deaths and injuries.
