Confused About Final Settlement: Why Am I Being Charged 41k Instead of Receiving My Salary?

Issue with Final Settlement and Experience Letter

I joined HCL on 16th August and left on 7th June, serving the complete 3-month notice period. After 1 month of being relieved, when I inquired about my final settlement as my 1-month salary was pending with HCL, instead of providing my one-month pay, they asked me to pay 41k in return for my offer letter. When I consulted with the final settlement team, they informed me that since I left the organization before completing one year, I have to pay this amount to receive an experience letter.

My concern is that this information is not mentioned in my offer letter, nor was it conveyed to me that I would have to pay this amount if I did not complete one year with HCL. On what grounds have they asked me to pay 41k and deducted my one-month salary?

Dear Noopur, did the management provide you with any exclusive training along with a salary soon after your appointment? Even then, they cannot ask you to pay a sum for issuing an experience certificate when the condition was not stated in the offer letter or communicated to you when you submitted your resignation or while serving the three-month notice period. Such a demand is only raised when you inquire about unpaid salary. Therefore, it is both illegal and unethical. Consider sending a legal notice to the management requesting the disbursement of the unpaid salary along with the experience certificate.

Thank you.

My previous employer, HCL Technologies, has unlawfully deducted from my Full and Final settlement. I have served the required 90-day notice period. There is no mention of such a policy in the offer letter or joining documentation. I would like to explore the legal options as I am certain I won't receive a solution from the HCL team. There are multiple individuals facing the same issue.