New Delhi, Sept 25 : Italy-based Oerlikon Drive Systems will launch an independent probe into the lynching of the Indian unit''s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lalit Chaudhary, in Greater Noida.

Chaudhary was lynched to death on September 22 by sacked employees of Graziano Trasmissioni, an auto component maker.

Marcello Lamberto of Oerlikon, in a statement, said: "Oerlikon Drive Systems is cooperating with authorities and will launch its own investigation."

He described the incident as a brutal and criminal act of violence against an unarmed individual.

"We have diligently worked to provide our employees in Noida with a workplace that matches the requirements found in our facilities in Europe," Lamberto said, and added, “Our company has worked hard to deserve a reputation for integrity, fair treatment and good relations with the local community and our business partners."

On Tuesday, Lamberto had arrived in Greater Noida to meet Chaudhary''s family and make a personal inspection of the site and to visit injured workers in the hospital.

On Monday, Chaudhary was beaten to death by the dismissed employees, following the failure of a meeting that was called to resolve a dispute between them and the management.

About 200 former employees were present inside the office premises when the incident occured.

The assailants were dismissed two months back for some reasons. They have been protesting against their dismissal since then. (ANI)