JUDGMENT

Chandrachud, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal arises from a judgment dated 12 July 2019 of a Single Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.

3. The first respondent was employed by BGS Apollo Hospital, Mysore, the second respondent “hospital”, as a Consultant Neurosurgeon on a monthly guaranteed fee of Rs. 50,000. He worked in that capacity from March 2004 until June 2014. A contract, styled as a Consultancy Agreement was entered into between the first respondent and the hospital on 1 April 2013 containing his terms of engagement. One of the terms of the engagement was that either party may terminate the agreement, with or without cause, by giving a prior notice of thirty days. On 3 June 2013, the management of the hospital enhanced the emoluments of the first respondent by assuring him a guaranteed monthly fee of Rs. 4,25,000.

4. Thereafter, differences arose between the first respondent and the management of the hospital. The first respondent wrote a letter dated 9 January 2014 to the appellant alleging that patients referred to him were being diverted to other doctors of the hospital at the enquiry and reception counter. Through the said letter, he also requested the appe