Stuck in a Bond: How Can I Get My Documents Back Without Paying 2 Lakhs?

Bond and Employment Concerns

I joined my previous organization on 28 July 2019 with a bond of 2.5 years. During my 6-month probation period, I received a salary of 10,000. When I inquired about a salary increment after 6 months, as mentioned in the offer letter/bond, I was dissatisfied with their response. Consequently, I began interviewing with other companies. Unfortunately, one of these companies was a partner or client of my original employer, and they informed them about my job search. Subsequently, I received an email regarding a bond breach, but the offer letter/bond did not specify any penalty or notice period.

Training and Document Issues

The training provided was not specialized; I relied on YouTube for learning. When I left without notice, I initially considered creating duplicate documents easily, but the pandemic has made this very challenging. Upon requesting my documents from the company, they demanded 2 lakhs without providing a reason for this request.

Seeking Advice

Now, my question is, what can I do to retrieve my documents?

Bond and Document Retrieval Issues

You signed a bond for 2.5 years for a job offering a salary of Rupees Ten Thousand only? What documents did the company collect from you? All your education and service certificates? And in order to return the certificates, they need Rs 2 lakhs.

I would suggest that you immediately go to the nearest police station and register an FIR against the company for cheating and harassment. This is workplace bullying, and the employer should not be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Demanding a bond amount from an employee who was offered extensive training and a salary of some lakhs can be justified, but this is unreasonable. Please don't pay the amount; instead, file an FIR for holding your certificates.