One arrested for killing of Maruti Manesar plant GM

 A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder of the general manager of Maruti Suzuki plant in Gurgaon district's Manesar July last year, police said Friday.

Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Haryana, was arrested from Delhi's Shalimar Bagh area Thursday.

He disclosed that he was working in Maruti Suzuki Manesar plant as a welder for the last five years.

"On July 18, 2012, his duty was in the 'B' shift. At around 3.30 p.m., the employees of 'A' shift assembled at the gate after their duty. He also joined them. They started shouting slogans against the management to protest against suspension of one Jiya Lal," said the officer.

"The mob became violent and he, along with others, damaged the properties and manhandled the management staff. They also set the administrative office on fire," added the officer.

After the case was registered, Pradeep Kumar went underground to evade arrest.
Maruti Suzuki's general manager for human resource Awanish Kumar Dev was burnt to death in the violence in its Manesar plant July 18, 2012.

Ninety-one workers were arrested under various charges -- including rioting, murder, attempt to murder, assault and trespass -- and sent for 14 days' judicial custody by a local magistrate.

Around 100 others were injured in the violence -- including several executives, managers and supervisors -- after workers attacked them.

The workers were allegedly instigated by casteist remarks that an official made against one worker, Jiya Lal.

Jiya Lal later allegedly beat up the official who made the remarks. He was suspended for his act of indiscipline, and workers protesting the suspension unleashed the violence.