Kerala HC: Refusing Resignation is Bonded Labor, Violates Article 23

• Kerala High Court rules that an employer's refusal to accept an employee's resignation, without valid reasons, amounts to bonded labor.
• Justice N Nagaresh stated that employers must accept resignations, barring notice period violations, contract conditions, or grave misconduct investigations.
• The ruling came in favor of a PSU company secretary who was not allowed to resign, despite the PSU defaulting on his salary since October 2022.
• The court emphasized that financial difficulties are not a valid reason to compel an employee to work against their will.
• The PSU was directed to accept the resignation, relieve the employee within two months, and pay all due arrears and benefits.