In a major legal development, the Delhi High Court has directed Wipro to pay ₹2 lakh in damages to a former employee after finding defamatory remarks in his relieving letter. The case was filed by Abhijit Mishra, who alleged that the company’s exit document contained baseless claims about his conduct and professional behavior.
The court observed that such remarks were unsubstantiated and could harm the employee’s career and reputation in the IT industry. It emphasized that companies must exercise caution and fairness when issuing relieving or termination letters, as these documents carry long-term implications for an individual’s professional life.
Along with the compensation, Wipro has also been ordered to issue a revised termination letter free of defamatory statements. This judgment underscores the importance of ethical HR practices and sets a precedent for similar disputes in the future.
Impact of the Court’s Decision
- Employee Rights: Strengthens the case for employees against defamatory exit documentation.
- Corporate Responsibility: Highlights the need for organizations to ensure professionalism in HR processes.
- Industry Impact: Serves as a warning to other IT giants to handle employee exits with transparency and respect.