Facing Legal Threats and Withheld Salary After Resigning: How Should I Handle This?

I worked as a Software Engineer in an IT company. I was already an experienced employee before joining the company and received no training. This company had me sign two documents: an offer letter and a verification form. In the offer letter, it's written that the obligation to be in the company is 12 months, and in the verification form, it's stated that I intend to be in the company for at least 18 months. The service notice is mentioned as 3 months.

I resigned from the company after 12 months and served the 3-month notice period. However, the company is stating that my resignation is not accepted, and I have to fulfill 18 months there. I informed the company that I would not attend after the notice period, and I followed through. Now, the company is threatening to sue me. They have withheld my 3 months' salary and have not provided an experience letter. What should I do?

According to the documents you have been given, you are required to work for a period of 12 months or pay the training cost of ₹1 Lakh. I didn't see the 18-month period in the second document, so I don't know where that came from.

Intent to work is not a promise but a compulsion. The period specified in the offer letter stands. That said, I don't know what you can actually do. Taking a legal route is very expensive and time-consuming. I don't think the labor officer will help as you are probably not under the definition of a worker. Furthermore, you will need to refer to them for BVG in the future, so coming to an amicable settlement is always better.

Thanks for your response. The statement regarding an 18-month duration is mentioned on the last page of the verification form. I have already tried to settle things within the company on a positive note, but the company's response has been threatening, to say the least. I am planning to take the legal route. I understand the consequences, including time and money, but I would rather fight than let this company extort me. I just want to make sure that I didn't do anything wrong.

You need to speak to a lawyer, but from my point of view, such a declaration has practically no value or enforceability in law.