Bengaluru Court Refers Wipro's Case Against Ex-CFO Jatin Dalal Over Non-Compete Clause For Arbitration

A City Civil Court in Bengaluru on Wednesday referred the dispute between Wipro Limited and its former Chief Financial Officer, Jatin Dalal over the alleged violation of a non-compete clause for arbitration.

While exercising its powers under Section 8(1) of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996, the Court ordered, "the parties are hereby referred to the arbitration in terms of the arbitration clause in the agreements.”

Wipro had approached the Court in November 2023 seeking damages worth Rs 25.15 crore along with 18 percent interest per annum on account of Dalal's joining its rival firm Cognizant within 12 months of his resignation in September 2023.

Wipro claimed that Dalal had violated a clause in his contract which prohibited his joining a rival firm within a year of quitting. Dalal had pleaded before the court that the matter be referred for arbitration as per agreements he had signed with Wipro.

Dalal worked with Wipro for over 21 years and served as its CFO for seven years. He quit in September 2023 and joined Cognizant in December.

Case Title: Wipro Limited AND Jatin Pravinchandra Dalal

Case No: OS No 7705/2023

Appearance: Advocate Lomesh Kiran N for Appellant.

Advocate Karan Joseph for Defendant.

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