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MNC ex-employee alleges termination during cancer treatment, complains to Pune labour commissioner

The labour officer in Pune said that SLB (Schlumberger) would submit a written reply during a hearing on its former employee’s complaint on Wednesday.

cancer hunger strikeSantosh Patole had complained to the National Human Rights Commission and sat on a hunger strike outside the company’s office in December 2025. (Source: FB)

A former employee at a multinational company has alleged wrongful termination while undergoing active treatment for thyroid cancer in Pune. Santosh Patole, who worked as a facilities manager at SLB (Schlumberger) and had been with the company for over eight years, alleges that he was terminated in July 2025, shortly after returning to work following his treatment.

Patole filed a complaint with the labour commissioner’s office in Pune, and the first hearing in the case was held on December 24, 2025.

Kasturi Mahatme, Government Labour Officer, told The Indian Express that the second hearing would take place on January 7, Wednesday, where the company will submit a written reply.

According to Patole, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2025 and underwent treatment at Jupiter Hospital in Baner. He rejoined work on July 1, and a “fit to resume work” certificate from the hospital was submitted to his employer a few days later.

Patole alleges that he was served a termination notice on July 23 without any prior notice or performance-related discussions. He says that till his last working day, no warning letter or showcause notice was issued. Nor was any disciplinary action ever initiated against him, he adds. The termination notice cited reasons like ”financial loss”, which Patole says are untrue. He also says he received “outstanding” ratings in annual appraisals in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Patole had complained to the National Human Rights Commission and sat on a hunger strike outside the company’s office in December 2025. He said, “I hold an HSE Level 3 certification and have worked in corporate risk enablement roles. This background enabled me to objectively identify compliance and risk gaps in how my termination was handled, and therefore, I approached statutory institutions in a structured and lawful manner.”

In his complaint to the labour commissioner, Patole has sought that an inquiry be initiated into his termination and explanation as well as records be demanded from SLB regarding its actions. He also sought reinstatement or corrective action and/or compensation for wrongful termination during medical treatment.

Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting. Professional Background Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune. Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics. Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories: 1. Investigations & Governance "Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents. "44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families. 2. Education & Campus Life Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University. "Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial. "Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers. 3. Human Rights & Social Issues "Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India. "'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying. Signature Style Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty. X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 ... Read More


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