Is It Legal for My Company to Keep My Academic Documents? Seeking Advice on Indian Labor Law

emran.khan8@gmail.com
Hello! Everyone needs your advice and help. I am an engineer. After passing my engineering, I joined a company that was in its starting stage. They committed that they were going to do work in my core area. After that, they asked me to sign a 2-year bond with them. A few days later, they asked me to submit all my academic certificates for verification. When I asked for my certificates back, they said it was included in the bond. I then asked them to provide me with an acknowledgment that they have my original academic certificates. They provided this within 3 months.

I found that the work was not related to my job profile. When I discussed this with them, they only tolerated it each time. In the end, I gave my resignation. Now it's almost 1.5 years. I have sent them a lot of emails and letters to ask for my academic documents back, but they haven't returned them. How can I get my documents back? Is there any provision in Indian labor law for this issue? Is it permissible and legal to hold someone's original academic documents? Please help me.
lavika yadav
Here are some useful links:
- [Can an employer take original documents for security proof? - Page 2](https://www.citehr.com/419661-can-employer-take-original-document-security-proof-pg2.html)
- [Can an employer take original documents for security proof?](https://www.citehr.com/419661-can-employer-take-original-document-security-proof.html)
- [Original education certificates hold by the company](https://www.citehr.com/270374-original-education-certificates-hold-company.html)

I hope this information is helpful. If you still have any queries, feel free to discuss.
varghesemathew
Legality of Holding Original Documents in India

It is illegal. However, the fact is that, until now, there is no law on this applicable on an all-India basis. Recently, the Kerala Government has promulgated an ordinance prohibiting the practice of holding original documents of employees by employers of shops and commercial establishments. However, it is applicable only to those who are within the definition of 'employees' under the Act.

Regards,
Varghese Mathew
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
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