Can I Leave My Job After Serving a Shorter Notice Period Than Required?

I had resigned from the job recently.

Notice Period and Resignation Acceptance

In my appointment letter, it is mentioned that my services may be terminated at the instance of either party only by giving the other party three calendar months' prior written notice, provided that the company may, if it chooses, pay three months' salary in lieu of notice.

I clearly indicated in my resignation letter that I would like to serve only one month's notice and offered to pay for the shortfall. I received acceptance from my line manager (who signed my appointment and confirmation letters) in hard copy of my resignation.

Company Procedure for Resignation

As per company procedure, we are supposed to upload the hard copy of the resignation acceptance letter in the HR EXIST portal. I have done the same. However, the soft copy of the resignation letter is yet to be approved in the portal.

After that, I sent a reminder email with a time limit to my line manager to approve the same, but he has not replied yet (the 15-day notice period has already passed).

Current Situation and Query

Now, the company is forcing me to work for 90 days, but I am not interested in doing so.

Can I leave the job as per my resignation acceptance letter?

Please guide me.

Regards

Physical proof or a hard copy signed by an authorized person is always stronger evidence compared to a soft copy. Approval by a soft copy is part of their internal process. In fact, your query only mentions the phrase "written notice." However, is there anything specified in the HR policy or company terms stating that a resignation shall only be considered accepted post-approval on a soft copy? If not, then there is no need to worry.