The Delhi High Court has issued a significant ruling directing Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan (HURL) to reinstate an employee to the position of vice president (finance). This decision follows a delay by the employee’s previous employer in processing his resignation and providing a relieving letter. The judgment requires HURL to allow the employee to assume his role with all consequential benefits within one week.
The petitioner, previously a general manager (Finance) at Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation (BVFCL), applied for the vice president (Finance) role at HURL in January 2024. He passed the selection process and was offered the position on 7 June, 2024, with a start date of 5 July, 2024. Following this, he promptly resigned from BVFCL, expecting a quick release as he was on probation.
However, BVFCL delayed his resignation by issuing a memorandum on 15 June, 2024, retroactively confirming his service. Unable to get a relieving letter, the employee joined HURL on 8 July, 2024, and promised to provide the letter within 30 days. Shortly after, BVFCL issued a show-cause notice and began disciplinary proceedings.
The employee sought relief from the Gauhati High Court, which ordered BVFCL to process his resignation. BVFCL finally accepted his resignation and relieved him on 3 October, 2024.
Despite the court’s order, HURL cancelled his appointment on 19 August, 2024, because he hadn’t provided the relieving letter on time. Frustrated, the employee filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court, which paused any action to fill the position.
The Delhi High Court found that HURL’s only reason for revoking the appointment was the missing relieving letter, an issue now resolved. The court noted that HURL hadn’t hired anyone else for the role, which remained open. The court cancelled HURL’s revocation order, directing them to allow the employee to join as vice president (finance) within a week. Justice Singh affirmed the employee’s right to all associated benefits.
