Maruti workers down tools to protest court sentence

Workers at the Maruti Suzuki plants in Gurgaon and Manesar observed a one-hour strike from 9pm to 10pm to protest against the sentencing of 13 convicted workers to life imprisonment, and five-year prison term to four others.

Workers at the Maruti Suzuki plants in Gurgaon and Manesar observed a one-hour strike from 9pm to 10pm to protest against the sentencing of 13 convicted workers to life imprisonment, and five-year prison term to four others.

Maruti case accused convicted in the 2012 factory violence case at district court in Gurgaon on Saturday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Workers from different auto companies, and union leaders held a meeting in Gurgaon to discuss the future course of action to get justice for their incarcerated colleagues.

Kuldip Janghu, general secretary, Maruti Suzuki Kamgar Union said the verdict was against the tenets of justice, and was a result of fabricated evidences, which led to the conviction of workers. “We observed a one-hour strike and will continue to protest against the injustice meted out to workers,” he said.

The six major factories where the strike was observed include Maruti plants at Gurgaon and Manesar, Suzuki Motorcycles, Kherki Daula, Bell Sonica, FMI, and Maruti Suzuki Powertrain, Kherki Daula. Earlier in the day, a large number of trade union leaders attended the court, and after hearing the verdict, expressed their shock.

Ram Kumar, a trade union leader said the government and the company had put immense pressure to secure such a harsh verdict. “One person was killed in an accident but an entire army of workers is being held responsible and being punished because they are underprivileged,” Kumar said.