Can My Employer Hold Me Relieving Even After I Made Payment For My Balance Notice Period?

As per my appointment letter, I have to serve a three-month notice period, or I have to pay an amount equal to my gross salary. I have given 35 days' notice, and it has been accepted by the management. I have made the payment for my remaining notice and received the receipt. However, in my resignation acceptance email, they mentioned that the management has the right to hold my resignation during this period and extend my notice if the work allotted to me is not completed.

Meanwhile, there was an external certification audit for which I completed the documentation work and prepared all necessary documents. Unfortunately, on the day of the audit, my management asked the auditor to revise the audit scope and postpone the audit for one month.

Now, I fear that they may ask me to stay until the audit is finished, even though I have completed the work and am ready to face the audit. They only postponed the audit. Can they force me to stay in this scenario, considering I have already paid my notice pay? If they do force me, what can I do?

No, they cannot hold you anymore. If they do or force you, you can file a civil suit against them. You can ask for any amount you like if they ask you to stay.

When the employer has already accepted your resignation and has also agreed to the Notice Period Buyout for the remaining days and issued the receipt of the same, you are free to leave the company upon completion of 35 days. Legally, they cannot bind you to stay back.