Resignation ends legal relation with pilots: AI tells HC

Air India (AI) on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that once a pilot tenders resignation, the legal relationship of an employer-employee comes to an end with it and the resignation cannot be withdrawn subsequently.

The submission was made before a bench of Justices Rajiv Shakdher and Talwant Singh which observed that Air India’s stand of “unilateral resignation” was treading a dangerous path.

The bench was hearing Air India’s appeal against a single judge order quashing the national carrier’s decision to terminate the services of several pilots, both permanent and on contract, and directing their reinstatement.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Air India, said under the applicable law, there is no need for a formal acceptance of resignation by Air India, and that the six-month notice period post-resignation is only to avoid any hardship to the passengers. Around 40 pilots had moved the high court after Air India refused to accept the withdrawal of their resignations.