Over the past year, a dispute between former Founding Editor of The Logical Indian, Bharat Nayak, and the organisation’s leadership has come to light. At the heart of the issue are allegations of withheld dues, delayed documentation, and conditions imposed on the release of a relieving letter, raising questions about employee rights and workplace ethics within Indian digital media companies.
The Background
Bharat Nayak joined The Logical Indian in February 2014, according to documents later acknowledged by the company. For nearly a decade, he worked with the platform, playing a key role in fact-checking and editorial leadership. In April 2023, Nayak resigned, with June 30 set as his last working day.
Nayak states that he began his tenure without pay and later earned ₹10,000 a month, despite receiving job offers significantly higher. His decision, he says, was motivated by a belief in serving society through the platform.
The Dispute
Following his resignation, Nayak expected his full-and-final (FNF) settlement, pending incentives, and relieving letter to be cleared within 90 days, as per HR assurances. However, he alleges that his June salary, incentives, and relieving letter were withheld.
When he followed up, HR reportedly asked him to prove his joining date and designation. The company initially cited a disputed 2017 employment agreement that Nayak claims he never received or signed. Although he submitted salary slips, supporting documents, and even a CEO-signed letter confirming his role, these were dismissed as “internal documents.”
On 9 November 2023, the company formally acknowledged his joining date as 1 February 2014. However, Nayak says the relieving letter was still conditional upon either:
- Signing a social media policy binding him even after employment, with monetary penalties, or
- Surrendering the equity he had been granted after years of service.
Nayak declined both conditions, calling them unreasonable.
Pending Dues
According to Nayak, he is still awaiting:
- His relieving letter
- Incentives exceeding ₹5 lakh (including ₹3.85 lakh confirmed by the company in September 2023 for completed projects)
He claims that even after sending a legal notice, the company maintained it would not release the incentive amount.
Impact and Broader Concerns
Nayak has said the prolonged dispute cost him fellowships, scholarships, and professional opportunities. He describes the experience as mentally and physically taxing, alleging that the stress left him unwell for days.
The case highlights a larger issue within India’s startup and media ecosystem, how disputes over documentation and pending dues are handled. While companies often emphasise accountability and ethics in their public image, employees argue that these standards should apply internally as well.
Unanswered Questions
The Logical Indian has built its reputation on fact-checking and demanding accountability from public figures and institutions. The ongoing dispute with one of its own founding members raises important questions:
- Should a relieving letter, a basic employment document, be tied to post-employment conditions?
- Can incentives earned through completed projects be withheld indefinitely?
- Do the values projected by media organisations align with their internal practices?
Until resolved, Nayak’s case remains a reminder of the gaps between employee expectations, legal rights, and company practices in India’s evolving digital media industry.
