I am Ravi, resident of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. I got job as Administrative officer in XXXX Insurance Company on 26/11/2012.
Before joining the company, I signed on a service agreement as per the format given by company (executed on Non-judicial Stamp Paper of Rs.100/-) with two surety’s and a witness accepting conditions as shown below and then posted the same to XXXX
- Have to serve the company for four (4) years.
- In the event of resigning from the Company during the probationary period (1yr) , liable to pay the salary received during entire service in the Company in addition to an amount of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty five thousand) towards partial cost of training.
After completing all the formalities, I joined the company after the training period of 1 month in shimoga, Karnataka which comes under the regional office Hubli, Karnataka.
After working for six (6) months, I left my job without informing to anybody and gave my resignation letter after 1 month saying medical reasons. On his (chief regional manager (CRM), Hubli) demand, I sent a hardcopy also. Meanwhile, I joined in Indian Railways.
But, as per the service agreement, I need to work for four years. I quit the company in June,2013 (with 6 months service only). So, as per the agreement I need to pay all my salary + training cost which is equal to 2 lacs to the company on his demand.
From June,2013, He has been keep on following me, sending notices to me, to my surety's to pay the liquidated damage amount 2 lacs. I tried to negotiate the amount twice, but no use. Finally, he filed a case and sent an original suit on June 2015 from hubli court for the recovery of 2 lacs with compound interest of 12% Pa since my resignation and nominal court fee. Court hearing is on 28th july 2015.
I request you to suggest me what to do in this situation. All I was trying to do is to save my money as I am from middle class family.
Some more Information:
- He knows exactly where I am working (Indian Railways) now through private investigation and RTI.
- I communicated with him twice requesting to reduce the amount. Because of it, in the court suit it is written that defendant (myself) is committed to pay the amount.
- He is too personal about me. Because, he is not taking any kind of action on another employee who resigned from his office (Hubli) during my resignation time. As far as I know, no CRM is very much concern about resignations at many XXXX regional centres in India.
- Now, my two surety’s (who are my brother friends doing jobs) also started worrying about this court suit as they also got the copies to settle the amount.
My Concerns:
- I heard through my friends circle etc.. that this kind of bonds are not claimable as they need registration. Is it true?
- Is there any valid point from my side on which I can fight against that company to save my money 2 lacs + 12% compound interest? Because, this amount almost 2.5 lacs is more valuable to me for the survival of my family which I am unable to throw it simply for that mighty company XXXX
- Is it worth full to contest in the Hubli district court by traveling such a long distance (720km from my native place Vijayawada)? Or should I simply leave it and pay the amount what they demand?
- If at all, nothing from our side to fight then is there any chance to negotiate the amount in the court? Do they agree for it? How far the court will save my money.
- What is the approximate advocate fee will be if I can fight?
The reasons which are forcing me to fight for my money are
- Bond, is it claimable or not?
- Same person (CRM) is not taking any action on other employee who quit from his office.
- I survived in shimoga, Karnataka for six months while I am doing job in XXXX there. Obviously living costs will be there. What If I pay back all the amount I got from the company? What about my living costs?
So, kindly suggest me the best way how to come out from this situation. Please suggest me such that it should not trouble my surety’s, I want to completely take them away from this problem.
Waiting for your valuable suggestions.