Can't pay salaries anymore, look for other jobs: Mehul Choksi writes to his employees

Mehul Choksi claimed that the agencies in India are 'hell bent' on stopping the operations of the company.

Photo: Zeebiz

Mehul Choksi, Gitanjali Gems promoter and one of the prime accused in Rs 11,400 crore Punjab National bank fraud, has written to his employees to look for other job options as he will no longer be able to pay them their salaries and other dues. 

"It is very tough for me, as of now, to be clearing your dues or to pay the future salaries, in view of the seizing of the various bank accounts and other properties by the Government Agencies/ investigating Agencies. Thus, in  view of firstly, no certainty about the payment of the salaries, secondly, no certainty about the payment of electricity and maintenance charges of the office to run the office, thirdly, the unfair investigation conducted by the investigating agencies, I do not want anyone to suffer due to their  connection/ association with me, so I request you all to look for other career opportunities elsewhere," he said in a letter to the India staff on Friday.

Calling all allegations against him false, he asserted that he had "done nothing wrong, and ultimately, the truth shall prevail." He claimed that the agencies in India are 'hell bent' on stopping the operations of the company. "I am facing a lot of problems due to the manner in which the multiple investigating agencies/ government agencies have started to create a havoc, hell-bent upon stopping the operations," he wrote.

Choksi added that he will not be able to clear the dues of the employees on an immediate basis, he is "committed to clear your past dues, if any, once things return to normalcy." He also ended with a note that his letter is in the interest of the employees but is likely to be given "some different colour by various vested interests" and he only has the wellbeing of the employees.

Here is the full text of the letter by Choksi to his employees:

1. I am constrained to write the present email to you all concerned, as a situation of fear and injustice has been created against me and our organization.

2. We all together have seen all the highs, while working honestly and with integrity, to achieve our motto of giving true essence of Indian Hospitality to our customers. But, now, with the recent false allegations levelled against me of defrauding the PNB  Bank and media frenzy,  the situation has gone grave, which is turning graver by the day.

3. Though I am aware that a lot of hard work has been put by you all to bring our organization to where it is today, but as of now, I am facing a lot of problems due to the manner in which the multiple investigating agencies/ government agencies have started to create a havoc,hell bent upon stopping  the operations.

4. However, the fact remains that as of today, the justice that I deserve is far off, as it shall take time to prove my innocence, and the future seems uncertain presently.

5. Even the operations in India have come to a standstill and restarting the same may take time. ln such a situation, it shall be wrong on my part to force you all to sit ideal waiting for the work to restart, when the future for you all is bright.

6. I will face my destiny and I know that I have done nothing wrong, and ultimately, the truth shall prevail. But, I do not want anybody to get even a shadow of adversity or injustice onto the people just because of their association with me. At this moment, the investigating agencies seem to be interested not in a fair investigation but in creating a fear psychosis within my employees. The kind of unfair treatment, unfair investigation, media frenzy and political statements are making me highly insecure about the safety of myself and my family members. 

7. It is very tough for me, as of now, to be clearing your dues or to pay the future salaries, in view of the seizing of the various bank accounts and other properties by the Government Agencies/ investigating Agencies.

8. Thus, in  view of firstly, no certainty about the payment of the salaries, secondly, no certainty about the payment of electricity and maintenance charges of the office to run the office, thirdly, the unfair investigation conducted by the investigating agencies, I do not want anyone to suffer due to their  connection/ association with me, so I request you all to look for other career opportunities elsewhere.

9. Further, the laptops/ mobile phones, if any, issued from the Office may be retained by you till clearance of your past dues, if any.

10. Further, tile HR is being instructed to issue relieving letters and experience certificates, should you desire to have it.

11. I reiterate that I am committed to clear your past dues, if any, once things return to normalcy.

12. 0ur future association may, till the clearance of all allegations against me, be deferred and I would be happy to be re­associated with you all in happy times.

Regards,
Mehul Choksi

PS:This communications of mine being extremely bonafide and being in the interest of me employees, is again likely to be given some different colour by various vested interests, but my god and heart knows that I am writing this with heavy heart, in complete helplessness and having utmost concern about your wellbeing.