31 workers convicted over killing at Indian car plant

An Indian court convicted 31 workers Friday over an outburst of deadly violence at a car plant in 2012, including 13 for murder, during one of the country’s worst episodes of labour unrest.

The court cleared 117 accused who were also facing charges of murder, arson and rioting after hundreds of workers clashed with managers over wages and appointments at the Maruti Suzuki factory in Manesar.

The hearing in Gurgaon, on the outskirts of New Delhi, found 13 workers guilty of murdering Awanish Kumar Dev, whose charred body was found in the remains of a building following the riots in July 2012. Dev, who was a human resources manager, died after he failed to escape a blaze which was started by workers who went on the rampage in Manesar, which is around two hours’ drive southwest of the capital.

The additional sessions court ruled that 18 others were guilty of rioting, arson and damaging property. Lawyers for the accused immediately announced plans to appeal against the convictions.

“We will challenge the conviction in a higher court,” Monu Kuhar, counsel for all the accused in the case, told AFP.

The court will announce the sentences on March 17.