Is It Legal for My Former Employer to Force a Bond After Resignation? Seeking Advice on Selling Company Material

I recently resigned from my position as Assistant Sales Manager at a Chinese subsidiary company due to unethical behavior by the Indian management. They were pressuring me to sign a bond stating that I "can't work or conduct business in the same field for at least 2 years," which I refused to sign. A few days ago, they contacted me again and informed me that "I can pursue any job or business, but I can't sell their company brand material."

Issue with Company Bond

There are many traders in the Indian market importing and selling the same company brand material, and my bosses are well aware of this. However, they are not allowing me to do the same because they know that if I sell their company brand material by purchasing it through another trader, they will lose business. This is why they are forcing me to sign a bond.

Legal Inquiry on Selling Company Material

I want to know if there is any rule or law that prevents me from selling the company material after resignation by purchasing it through other sources in the market. My appointment letter does not mention any clause requiring me to sign such a bond after resignation.

Please advise if it is compulsory to sign such a bond after resignation, as they are threatening not to clear my gratuity and PF amount if I refuse to sign.

Explain to them that they will benefit from you selling their products and your loyalty to them. Try to resolve this issue amicably. As for your PF and gratuity, no employee can withhold your gratuity and PF. Don't sign any bond; no company can force you to sign a bond.