High Court Orders Wipro to Pay ₹2 Lakh for Defamatory Remarks in Relieving Letter

The Delhi High Court has directed Wipro to pay ₹2 lakh in compensation to a former employee over defamatory statements made in his relieving letter. The court ruled that the remarks, which allegedly damaged the former employee’s professional reputation, must be removed, and a fresh termination letter issued without any such content.

 

The case was filed by a former principal consultant who worked with the company from March 14, 2018, until June 5, 2020. The employee claimed that his relieving letter contained malicious statements that irreparably harmed his reputation and credibility, breaking the professional relationship with the company.

 

The court found that the remarks in the letter had caused significant emotional distress, reputational damage, and loss of professional credibility. In its judgment, the court emphasized that leaving such remarks on record would unjustly harm the petitioner’s professional standing and dignity.

 

To ensure full restitution, the court ordered the expungement of all defamatory remarks concerning the employee’s professional character and directed the issuance of a new termination letter. The court further stated that without such expungement, the original letter would remain ineffective in addressing the defamatory impact.

 

Wipro was ordered to compensate the former employee with ₹2 lakh as general damages for emotional suffering and reputational harm. The judgment underscores the importance of maintaining fairness and professionalism in employment termination processes, while also reinforcing an employee’s right to protect their professional reputation.