Ladakh, Nov 10 (JKNS): In a major setback to Sonam Wangchuk’s Sheshyon Innovations Pvt Ltd., an enterprising arm of Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL) founded by Wangchuk, a labour court in Ladakh has ordered to reinstate its employee Ms Amina Khatoon, who was illegally removed from her job after the birth of her child in 2024.
During the final hearing on 07 November 2026, wherein the applicant Ms Amina Khatoon and Ms Gitanjali Angmo, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife and the CEO of HIAL were present, the two parties “expressed willingness to explore the possibility of resolving the matter through mutual discussions”.
Consequently, the court granted them opportunity till 26.11.2026, for “arriving at amicable settlement, subject to the respondent agreeing to, Reinstate Ms Amina Khatoon to her former position or an equivalent position, considering that her services were terminated without prior notice and without following the applicable procedure. Pay the applicant maternity benefits equivalent to 26 weeks amounting to Rs 3.03 lakh, along with Rs 3500 towards maternity medical bonus.
The court further directed that in the event of respondent (Gitanjali Angmo and HIAL) fails to comply with the aforesaid proposed settlement on or before 26.11.2026, the proposed settlement shall stand “unsuccessful” and the matter will proceed in accordance with the law.
Notably, the labour court’s observation that Amina Khatoon’s services were terminated without prior notice and without following the applicable procedure, also exposes the much-hyped “progressive and humanitarian ethos” of Sonam Wangchuk and his institution HIAL. (JKNS)