Management blamed for Dev's death

The grieving family of senior Maruti official Awanish Kumar Dev, who was burnt to death inside the factory premises by angry workers, have alleged that the company management was as much responsible for his “murder” as the workers.

The family members also demanded that the plant’s senior officials be booked for the crime.

However, a close relative said the family was still not in the right frame of mind and the future course of action will be decided only after the passage of some days.

“It is not just the workers who attacked and killed Dev before burning him, but the company is equally responsible for his murder. The vigilance department of the company either failed to anticipate the attack on him or no action was taken despite their warning,” the family alleged.

‘Top officials responsible’

“Some people in the top management are also responsible for this lapse,” said Ravi, a relative (name changed), adding that Dev's wife and parents were not in a position to even think about these issues.

He, however, said the family will consult lawyers, though not immediately. He alleged that neither anybody from Maruti visited the house nor has any compensation been offered so far.

Originally from Ranchi in Jharkhand, Dev joined Maruti Sazuki about two and half years ago and lived in a first floor rented accommodation in Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi.

The deceased is survived by wife Suparna, who works in the Defence Ministry and 16-year old son Abhyudit, a class XI student. Dev's parents lived with his younger brother Avinash in Ranchi.

“The parents have been shattered and all they want now is justice for their son. Rameshwar uncle (father of deceased) is demanding CBI probe in the incident as the police will only complete the formalities,” Ravi said. “There is no doubt that it was a pre-planned murder.

His legs were broken first and then the office was set on fire so that he could not escape. It was the most inhuman act to do and the culprits should not go scot-free. We will go to the press and put the truth before the public very soon if authorities tried to hush up the matter,” he added.