Wipro, a prominent Indian IT company, is in the process of reaching a settlement with two former executives, Jatin Dalal and Mohd Haque, who recently departed to join rival firm Cognizant. Dalal, Wipro's former CFO, and Haque, the ex-head of Wipro’s healthcare business, left in November 2023. Dalal immediately joined Cognizant as their CFO, leading Wipro to file a lawsuit against him, seeking ₹25 crore for contract breach. Haque faced similar legal action for allegedly violating a non-compete clause by joining Cognizant.
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The lawsuits, filed in January 2024, initiated a legal tussle between Wipro and the former executives. Dalal was accused of leaving before the expiration of his contract, leading to claims for unvested stock units' value. Haque's move to Cognizant raised concerns about violating a non-compete agreement, typical in employment contracts, preventing employees from joining direct competitors for a specified period after leaving.
Amidst the legal battles, reports indicate both sides are now working towards a settlement. Following an order from the Bengaluru civil court, Dalal invoked arbitration rights, signalling a move towards resolution. The impending settlement is expected to involve all parties - Wipro, Cognizant, Dalal, and Haque.
