Is Bond Signed On Company Letter Head Legal In India?

Hi, in august 2007, one company filed my H1B visa for US and i got it stamped in Oct, 2008. I did not travel to US and did not join the company since they did not have any work for me. At that time, I signed a bond with that company. That bond was on company letter head, and it states that if I fail to join that company's US office or leave the company before one year (after joining them), I've to pay 10,000 USD. In february 2008, I joined their Bangalore center even they did not have any work for me. I waited for some more time, but they did not find any work for me. So, in this July, 2008, I decided to quit the company. So, I talked to my manager and now they are telling me that since I did not join their US office, I've to pay them 10,000 USD.

So, I want and advice that is this bond legal in india? If yes, can they still go ahead and file a case against me if I don't pay them 10000 USD and on what basis they can file a case against me? Is there any other way out?

Best Regards,
Sandeep Gor

Dear Sandeep
The bond should be executed on a non judicial stamp paper only, executing on any paper is illegal and void.
regards
Rajesh

No.. The document which you have signed is not a bond and its not legal. They cannot file a case against you.

Hi Rajesh, Sreelatha,
Thanks for the clarification. Even if the papers are legal, what should be other scenario in terms of logical aspects? I mean, suppose this is a legal bond, even then, based on the bond conditions, can they file case against me if I fail to pay them the obligations amount?