This is a usual practice of family concerns. You can see many who have the same grievance that not getting last pay granted. If you have got your relieving order with you, you can ask them to settle the salary. Mere holding appointment order may not serve the purpose. Similarly, signature of the CEO on your resignation letter cannot be accepted as relieving order. It is only a concurrence that the CEO has seen your resignation or he has accepted it. But it will be after verifying the accounts and getting 'no objection certificates' from various departments that an official order relieving an employee from duties will be issued. Thereafter the resigned employee will get last pay. Similar may be the case with you also. However, in small organisations where HR or other functions are carried out by spouse of the MD/CEO, such formalities may not exis. Moreover, when your HR Manager is claiming that she has 'left' the organisation, you cannot expect any favour from them. Therefore, you are advised to write a letter stating everything and requesting to release your pending salary. If no reply is received, write the next letter putting more gravity to your grievance and requesting to spare a few minutes to discuss the matter. The third letter shall be sent by registered post worded as a 'claim' and warning to move legally. Try that. Regards, Madhu.T.K