31 convicted, 117 let off for Maruti plant violence
The factory workers allegedly had set fire to the plant after getting into an argument with the management.
New Delhi: After a legal battle of five years, the Haryana court on Friday convicted 31 workers and acquitted 117 in a case of violence and rioting which took place on July 18, 2012 at Maruti Suzuki plant at Manesar, 20 kms from Gurgaon.
Thirteen accused have been held guilty of murder whereas 18 have been convicted for rioting and other crimes under various sections of the IPC. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on March 17. The police took 22 accused into custody after the verdict was announced in the court of additional district and sessions judge R.P. Goyal on Friday amid heavy police presence. Administration had imposed Section 144 in the district court premises and within 500 metres of the Maruti Suzuki plant in Manesar.
The incident of violence, which took place on July 18, 2012, began with an argument between workers and management. The matter soon got out of hand and the workers allegedly set fire to one of the floors. HR general manager Awanish Kumar Dev was killed in the incident and several other executives were injured.
The Maruti Suzuki plant suffered damage and the police later booked 147 workers in connection with the case. The factory workers allegedly had set fire to the plant after getting into an argument with the management. They were later charged with conspiracy to commit murder, arson and rioting.
The police had arrested 148 workers in connection with the case, which is under trial at a district court. Rajender Pathak, counsel of the accused workers, said that they would challenge the conviction in the Punjab and Haryana high court. Iqbal, one of the accused, was not present in the court whereas 147 others were present when the verdict was announced. Mr Pathak pointed out that the contention of the prosecution that the murder was planned has been set aside. “We took the plea that this was an accident and acquittal of 117 persons has vindicated our stand,” said Mr Pathak.
Several workers’ unions had warned of protests if the court verdict was anti-workers. The unions have decided to hold a meeting in the evening at Kamla Nehru Park to further discuss their strategy.
“We will discuss the verdict with all workers and decide future course of action,” said Khushi Ram, general secretary of Mazdoor Sahyog Kendra, Gurgaon. Ram is one of the 546 permanent employees, who were terminated after the incident.