ThynkTech India CEO arrested as 700+ Pune IT staff left jobless
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Pune police have arrested Harshal Thakre, CEO of ThynkTech India, after the IT firm allegedly shut operations abruptly in April, leaving more than 700 employees jobless and locked out of its Hinjewadi office. The arrest is part of an expanding probe into alleged financial irregularities and cheating, with affected staff reportedly struggling to recover unpaid salaries, stipends and security deposits.
How the case surfaced
The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by a 25-year-old intern, prompting police to widen the inquiry into the company's finances and operations. Since then, more than 30 additional employees and interns have approached the police with similar allegations, including unpaid salaries, withheld stipends and refusal to return collected deposits, according to officials.
The abrupt shutdown
Employees alleged that ThynkTech India ceased operations in April without prior notice. Several staff members reportedly arrived at the Hinjewadi premises only to find the offices shut and company representatives unreachable. Salaries and stipends were initially paid on time, building confidence among the workforce, before payments allegedly stopped from January 2024, complainants said.
Deposits and bounced cheques
According to complaints cited in reports, the company allegedly collected security deposits of around ₹15,000 from workers and interns, claiming the amount was needed for official laptops and equipment. Several employees further alleged that cheques later issued against pending salaries bounced, deepening concerns about the firm's financial health in the weeks before the shutdown.
Others booked in the probe
Investigators have also booked the company's head of training and development and a human resources manager in connection with the case. Police said additional financial records and transaction details are being examined as the probe widens.
What happens next
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to trace fund flows and assess the scale of alleged misappropriation. For the affected workforce — many of them early-career professionals — the immediate concern is recovery of dues and clarity on whether any operational revival or asset attachment is on the table.