Infy visa case moves for trial as mediation fails

The mediation process between Infosys and its American employee Jack Palmer in the visa fraud case has fallen through after the two parties failed to reach a settlement. The case will now go for trial, which begins on August 20.

The mediation was convened after the US federal judge hearing Palmer’s allegation against Infosys ordered a mediation conference to be convened on July 24. The mediation was convened under the supervision of US Magistrate Judge Charles S Coody.

“Despite Judge Coody’s earnest attempts to help both parties forge a settlement, today’s mediation hearing was not successful. Our sights are now set on presenting the facts of this case in open court on August 20,” an Infosys spokesperson said in a statement.

A mediation conference is a process by which parties submit their dispute to a neutral third party who helps them reach a settlement.

In February last year, Palmer had filed a complaint in a court in Lowndes Country, Alabama, alleging Infosys was indulging in misuse of B-1 business visa programme to bring Indian employees to US to work at client sites.

He had also alleged Infosys had subjected him to harassment and retaliation, something which the company had strongly denied. The case was subsequently transferred to the Federal Court.