H1B 221g delays | Alternate options

My friend has been stranded in India due to 221g with no clear visbility when it will resolve and is currently on unpaid leave. He is under payroll of a consulting company who doesnt have an office in India and cannot work from India. If he wants to join a job in India for short term he most likely may be asked for a relieving letter from existing US company. Question is - Is it mandate for US consulting company to cancel his H1B petition if they have to issue a releiving letter? He doesnt want to lose his H1B petition since its valid until 2028 and if he loses may subject to 100k fee.