On 18 July 2012, workers had a heated exchange with their supervisor over hiring of low-paid temporary employees. The argument soon turned bloody. Awanish Kumar Dev, general manager (HR), lost his life when the protesting workers allegedly set a factory floor on fire. They were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, arson and rioting. A total of 148 workers weren arrested. On March 18, 117 of the 148 who had been arrested were acquitted. Of the remaining 31 workers, 13 were sentenced to life imprisonment, four received five-year terms and the remaining 14 were deemed to have served sufficient time before having been granted bail.