Hello
I have joined an organisation on 24 January 2022 and received a joining bonus of 50k which had a clause stating that I need to repay the full amount if I resign within 12 months of completion from my date of joining. It's indirectly a bond that's forcing employees to work for 12 months else pay back the amount (This is what I'm assuming since it has a tenure to serve). It is illegal in India to forcibly hold employees for specific tenure.
I have resigned on 9 January 2023 as there were no respective projects to the skills that i was hired on. Now I'm receiving mails from my organisation to repay the joining bonus else they will proceed legally.
So, in this case what should I act?
Is it legal to repay or not?
And if not then what is to be communicated to my organisation as they're threatening me with mails with a legal procedure.
Please help me with this query.
Thank you!