Left Job Without Notice: Facing a Huge Training Fee Demand—What Should I Do?

Hi All, I worked in a company for 6 months as a sales manager and left without serving the notice period as I don't need the relieving letter from that company. However, they have sent me a notice stating that they have invested 6 months of time in training me, and they want me to pay a sum of 1,50,000 INR as a training fee. Otherwise, they will file criminal charges. Can someone guide me on this?

First of all, employment-related cases can't be filed under criminal laws unless you have committed a serious crime like murder or rape. Such cases fall under civil law.

Secondly, if they are attempting to recover the training cost from you, the first point to consider is whether it has been documented anywhere that, in case you leave within a specified time, the said cost shall be recovered from you. If not, then don't worry about it; they can't enforce this.

Anyway, I am surprised by the kind of training they claim to have provided, which supposedly cost 1.5 lakhs. It's surprising; is there any company that invests such an amount in training for new joiners? What is the basis of this cost?

Thank you.