Can't force employee to stay after they resign: Kerala HC
The Kerala High Court just made it clear: if you want to leave your job and follow your contract, your employer has to let you go.
If they refuse, that's basically forcing you to stay—a violation of your rights under the Constitution.
The case that started it all
A company secretary tried to quit after his father passed away so he could care for his ailing mother.
But his public sector employer said no, blaming their own financial troubles and even threatened him with disciplinary action for not coming in.
Court's ruling
On top of blocking his exit, the company hadn't paid him since 2022 and delayed paperwork that kept him from getting another job.
The court stepped in, ordering the employer to accept his resignation within two months and pay what he's owed.
This sets a big precedent—public sector workers can't be forced to stay if they haven't done anything wrong.