After Surat diamond workers complain over unpaid salaries, factory owners booked

Police are now searching for the accused, who are residents of Surat, as they have allegedly gone into hiding.

The complaint was filed by a diamond cutter (polisher), Nikunj Soni, a resident of Amroli who had been working at the firm for the last two years.

According to the FIR, “The company owners had proposed a scheme among diamond polishers that if they did not draw the monthly salary from July/August until October, the company would give pending salaries with a bonus. Soni and other diamond polishers working in the factory waited for October. “

“On October 16, the company manager, Rajendra Chauhan, called up diamond polishers who opted for the scheme, asking them to collect pending salaries and scheme benefits on October 20 at the company premises.  When nine diamond polishers reached, they found the (premises) locked. The diamond polishers reached the house of owner Amit Virani and found him missing, but his younger brother Viren was available. Viren told them that Amit had left with all the money… (Viren) threatened the diamond polishers,” the FIR further added.

When police went to the house, they did not find either of the brothers.

Katargam police inspector B K Chaudhary said, “After primary investigation, we have found that the firm owners had failed to fulfill the promise of a special scheme they had launched for diamond workers in the factory. The diamond polishers’ pending salaries of Rs. 10.41 lakh are also due and the firm owners are yet to be traced. We have launched a hunt for them and are searching for their close aides for clues.”