Director accept resignation while hr demanding Compensation in lieu of notice period

I am from Jaipur rajasthan, and did job in one new startup home finance company as a credit manager for 8 months In Pune, due to some family reason, I decided in month of nov-17 to move again in my city and got job at there in interview, new company agreed for 30 days waiting period and I joined in month of Jan 18 but old company didn't give me reliving letter, and HR of new company is daily insisting about it,director of company accepted my email resignation on 30-11-17 but said about day of resignation shall be communicated to me by HR, but It was not communicated me any time, Not only it they also give some negative feedback regarding me to new company (Like lack of morality, Punctuality, Work commitments) and not give reliving letter due to I loose job in new company in jaipur on 8-2-18,Now I'm jobless, and just 2 days ago HR of Pune company send me email referring the clause of employment contract demanding 3 Months gross salary (1,80,000) or Immediate joining otherwise they shall take legal actions! So, My question is can a company compel employee to do job by referring this clause or demanding such hefty amount even after 2.5 months of leaving it, while director of company already accepted resignation?